Question

when providing care for a client with diarrhea, in which clinical indicator would the nurse anticipate a decrease? pulse rate tissue turgor specific gravity body temperature

Answer 1

In the care of a client with diarrhea, the nurse would anticipate a decrease in tissue turgor due to dehydration caused by fluid loss. Other dehydration symptoms may include dry mouth and decreased urination, while other indicators like pulse rate and urine specific gravity may actually increase.

Step-by-step explanation:

When providing care for a client with diarrhea, the nurse would anticipate a decrease in tissue turgor. Diarrhea often leads to dehydration because of the significant fluid loss it causes. Dehydration can manifest through various clinical indicators, but a noticeable one is the reduced elasticity of the skin, known as tissue turgor. As the body loses water, the skin may become less pliable and does not return to its normal position as quickly after being pinched. Other symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, feeling dizzy when standing up, and a marked decrease in urination.

The pulse rate tends to increase as a compensatory mechanism for dehydration to maintain adequate blood pressure and blood flow. The specific gravity of urine may increase because the kidneys attempt to conserve water, producing more concentrated urine. Body temperature may not directly decrease as a result of diarrhea unless the individual is experiencing overall fluid loss and subsequent hypothermia, which is less common.

Answer 2

Tissue turgor is the clinical indicator expected to decrease when caring for a client with diarrhea.

When providing care for a client with diarrhea, the nurse would typically anticipate a decrease in tissue turgor as a clinical indicator. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration due to the loss of fluids and electrolytes from the body.

Tissue turgor refers to the elasticity or firmness of the skin, and dehydration often results in decreased tissue turgor. This decrease is typically observed in the skin's ability to return to its normal position after being pinched or lifted (skin turgor test), indicating dehydration in the body.