Vetinerary Assistant Practice Exam

Which of the following is a direct consequence of polydipsia?

1. Increased appetite

2. Increased fluid intake

3. Increased urination

4. Increased body temperature

The correct answer is: Increased fluid intake

Polydipsia refers to an excessive thirst or an abnormally high intake of fluids. As a direct consequence of polydipsia, increased fluid intake occurs because the body signals the need for more fluids to counteract factors that may be causing the sensation of excessive thirst. This could be due to various underlying conditions such as diabetes mellitus, renal disease, or other factors that affect the body’s hydration status. Increased appetite, increased urination, and increased body temperature may be associated symptoms or results of certain underlying conditions that cause polydipsia, but they are not direct consequences of the condition itself. For instance, increased urination can occur as a result of the increased fluid intake, particularly in conditions like diabetes mellitus, where the kidneys produce more urine to eliminate excess glucose. Increased appetite might manifest in some cases, but it is not universally linked to polydipsia. Increased body temperature is usually indicative of a fever or infection and is not a direct outcome of excessive thirst. Thus, the most straightforward and direct consequence of polydipsia is the increase in fluid intake itself.