After spending extensive time in the sun, which fluid imbalance is likely for a person with severe sunburn?

Severe sunburn can lead to significant fluid loss in the body due to skin damage and dehydration. When the skin is severely burned, it loses its ability to retain moisture, which can result in increased fluid evaporation. Additionally, the process of inflammation and the body's response to injury can lead to further fluid shifts.

In the case of sunburn, particularly severe sunburn, the damage to the skin can result in a state where the body's blood volume decreases. This condition is referred to as hypovolemia, where there is an overall depletion of blood volume, which can lead to symptoms such as increased heart rate, low blood pressure, and dizziness. The combination of fluid loss from damaged skin and inadequate hydration due to excessive sun exposure puts the individual at risk of becoming hypovolemic.

Maldistribution of fluid refers to conditions where fluid is present in the body but not in the right compartments, leading to issues such as edema or fluid retention in certain areas, which is not the primary concern during a severe sunburn. Hypervolemia, on the other hand, involves an excess of fluid in the circulatory system, which is unlikely in this scenario. Therefore, the most appropriate answer reflects the nature of fluid loss associated with severe sunburn.