Which of the following is primarily associated with circulatory overload?

Rapid breathing and shortness of breath are primarily associated with circulatory overload due to the body's response to excess fluid volume. When there is an overload of fluids in the circulatory system, the heart and lungs can become strained as they try to accommodate the additional blood. This strain often manifests as pulmonary congestion, where fluid leaks into the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, and a feeling of breathlessness.

As the body struggles to manage this increased fluid, these respiratory symptoms become pronounced, reflecting the body’s efforts to maintain adequate oxygenation despite the impaired lung function. Thus, recognizing these symptoms is crucial in identifying circulatory overload early, allowing for timely intervention.

The other options can signal various conditions but do not directly reflect the physiological response associated with circulatory overload. Increased moisture at the site might indicate localized issues, pain and tenderness could suggest a problem with the IV site itself, and a sudden rise in temperature could indicate infection or another systemic issue, rather than fluid overload specifically.