Question

Which skin assessment finding would cause the nurse to suspect dehydration in a middle-aged patient admitted to the hospital with travelers' diarrhea?

1) Edema
2) Hyperhidrosis
3) Pallor
4) Tenting

Answer 1

Tenting is the skin assessment finding that suggests dehydration; it occurs when the skin does not quickly resume its normal position after a pinch test, indicating reduced skin elasticity due to fluid loss.

Step-by-step explanation:

The skin assessment finding that would cause the nurse to suspect dehydration in a middle-aged patient admitted to the hospital with traveler's diarrhea is 4) Tenting. When assessing skin turgor, the nurse would gently pinch and release a fold of skin, usually on the patient's forearm or abdomen. In a well-hydrated person, the skin fold quickly returns to its normal position. If the skin maintains the "tented" shape and does not return to normal immediately, this indicates reduced skin elasticity, often due to dehydration. This condition can be exacerbated by factors such as excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting, leading to additional water loss. In severe dehydration, patients may also experience symptoms such as dizziness, extreme thirst, or hypotension (low blood pressure), which can occur alongside the changes in skin turgor.