Increased fluid intake has what effect on urine specific gravity?

Increased fluid intake has what effect on urine specific gravity?

• A. No change
• B. Variable
• C. Higher
• D. Lower

Answer: (D)

Urine specific gravity shows how concentrated the urine is. When you increase fluid intake, more water is filtered into the urine, diluting it. Dilution lowers the concentration of solutes, so the specific gravity decreases. Normal specific gravity ranges roughly from 1.005 to 1.030, and staying hydrated pulls the value toward the lower end, while dehydration raises it. Therefore, increased fluid intake leads to a lower urine specific gravity. The other options don’t fit: no change isn’t expected because dilution occurs with more fluids, variable isn’t accurate since the response is predictable, and higher would occur with less fluid intake or dehydration.

Urine specific gravity shows how concentrated the urine is. When you increase fluid intake, more water is filtered into the urine, diluting it. Dilution lowers the concentration of solutes, so the specific gravity decreases. Normal specific gravity ranges roughly from 1.005 to 1.030, and staying hydrated pulls the value toward the lower end, while dehydration raises it. Therefore, increased fluid intake leads to a lower urine specific gravity. The other options don’t fit: no change isn’t expected because dilution occurs with more fluids, variable isn’t accurate since the response is predictable, and higher would occur with less fluid intake or dehydration.