Question

The nurse is assessing skin turgor in a child. The nurse grasps the skin on the abdomen between the thumb and index finger, pulls it taut, and quickly releases it. The tissue remains suspended, or tented, for a few seconds, and then slowly falls back on the abdomen. Based on the nurse's knowledge of assessing skin turgor, the assessment finding is that the

a. tissue shows normal elasticity.
b. child is properly hydrated.
c. assessment is done incorrectly.
d. child has poor skin turgor.

Answer 1

The nurse's assessment finding that the skin remains tented and returns slowly to the abdomen suggests the child has poor skin turgor, typically indicating dehydration.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing skin turgor in a child, the nurse pulls up the skin on the abdomen and quickly releases it. If the skin remains suspended or "tented" and then slowly falls back to the abdomen, this is an indication of poor skin turgor, suggesting that the child may be dehydrated. Skin turgor is a reflection of body hydration and elasticity, and when the skin does not snap back quickly, it indicates that the elastic fibers in the skin may have less moisture, which often correlates with dehydration. The elasticity of skin reduces with age, but in young individuals, good skin turgor should result in the skin quickly returning to its position.