Question

A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who reports diarrhea and decreased urination for 4 days. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to assess the client's skin turgor?

A. Pinch the skin over the sternum.
B. Assess the skin over the dorsal hand.
C. Check the skin over the tibia.
D. Evaluate the skin on the forehead.

Answer 1

The nurse should assess a client's skin turgor by pinching the skin over the sternum, as it provides a reliable indicator of hydration levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

To assess a client's skin turgor, a nurse should gently pinch and release the skin, typically in an area where the skin is thin and can be easily lifted. The correct method to assess skin turgor, in this case, would be to pinch the skin over the sternum (A). This location provides a reliable assessment as the skin is usually not affected by significant changes in fat deposits that could affect the turgor. Assessing skin turgor is a common technique used to evaluate the level of hydration in a patient as it helps to determine if the skin promptly returns to its original position (normal turgor) or if it returns slowly, indicating potential dehydration.