Final answer:
The nurse would expect a patient with reduced fluid intake to exhibit 4) decreased urine output, known as oliguria. This is a conservatory response of the body to retain fluids in case of low intake and could flag potential kidney issues if the urine concentration ability is impaired.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse assessing a patient with a reduced fluid intake would expect the patient to exhibit a response in the form of 4. Decreased urine output. Physiologically, when fluid intake is low, the body aims to conserve water, leading to less urine being produced. That is, the nurse would be observing for a condition such as oliguria, which is the production of less than 600 ml of urine per day and can occur in response to dehydration, among other conditions.
The ability of kidneys to concentrate urine in response to lower fluid intake ensures that the body retains necessary fluids. However, if the kidneys cannot effectively concentrate urine, this may suggest a diminished kidney function. Patients with markedly low urine output may be experiencing conditions such as acute renal failure or nephritis.
It is not typical for reduced fluid intake to lead to urinary retention, frequent urination, or incontinence, unless there are other underlying conditions such as neurological disorders affecting the bladder. These conditions are often unrelated to the volume of fluid intake and relate to other physiological or neurological issues.
Hence, the correct answer is Option 4.