What vital sign change may indicate hypervolemia in a patient?

A bounding pulse is a vital sign change that can indicate hypervolemia, which is an excess of fluid in the body. When hypervolemia occurs, the increased volume of blood can lead to higher stroke volume, which results in a strong and forceful pulse. This characteristic pulse may feel full and can be easily palpated.

In contrast, labored breathing can be a sign of many respiratory or cardiovascular concerns, but it is not specific enough to indicate hypervolemia alone. Decreased blood pressure is generally associated with hypovolemia or shock rather than hypervolemia, while bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, does not correlate with the increased fluid volume that is observed in hypervolemic patients. A bounding pulse, therefore, specifically links to the increased blood volume and cardiac output associated with hypervolemia, making it the correct indicator in this scenario.