Which of the following conditions is indicated by an increased pulse rate?

An increased pulse rate is often indicative of several underlying conditions, and in this case, dehydration is recognized as a common cause. When an animal is dehydrated, the body compensates for the reduced fluid volume by increasing the heart rate to maintain sufficient blood circulation and deliver oxygen and nutrients to various tissues. This compensatory mechanism can manifest as tachycardia, or an elevated pulse.

In contrast, conditions such as cardiac arrest would typically present with an absent or severely diminished pulse rate, while states of rest or sedation are associated with a lower heart rate, as the body's metabolic demands decrease significantly. Thus, an increased pulse rate points to a physiological response to stressors like dehydration rather than a state of rest or well-being.