Final answer:
Skin signs can be unreliable in geriatric patients due to age-related skin changes. Other findings like capillary refill may also be unreliable in the elderly due to peripheral vascular disease. A blood pressure of 70/45 with confusion and thirst in the emergency department suggests hypovolemia or shock.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the assessment findings listed for a geriatric patient, skin signs could be unreliable due to various age-related changes.
These changes include the thinning of the skin, loss of elasticity, decreased dermal vascularity, and slower healing rates, all of which can affect the appearance and condition of the skin and may lead to misinterpretation of common clinical signs such as signs of inflammation or infection.
For example, the classic signs of inflammation like redness and swelling may be less apparent in elderly patients. Capillary refill might also be affected by peripheral vascular disease, common in the geriatric population, which could lead to unreliable readings.
In the emergency department, a blood pressure of 70/45, confusion, and complaints of thirst could suggest hypovolemia or shock, which requires immediate attention.