When assessing for dehydration, which sign is least likely to be useful?

When assessing for dehydration, hemoglobin levels are generally less informative compared to the other signs listed. Hemoglobin levels primarily indicate the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and can be influenced by various factors unrelated to hydration status, such as anemia or blood loss.

In contrast, skin turgor, urine output, and heart rate provide more direct information regarding the body’s fluid status. Skin turgor assesses the elasticity of the skin, which can diminish when a person is dehydrated. Urine output is a direct measure of the body’s fluid balance; decreased urine output often suggests dehydration. Heart rate can increase as the body compensates for decreased blood volume due to fluid loss. Therefore, while hemoglobin levels can provide important information about the blood's composition, they do not specifically indicate dehydration.