To check the skin turgor nurse should do? & x20;

Pinch the skin gently and observe

Press the abdomen skin and observe it

Palpate the abdomen skin and observe it

Inspect the skin and observe it

AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Fundamental of Nursing

Easy

To check the skin turgor nurse should do?

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Skin turgor assessment evaluates the skin's elasticity, which is a key indicator of the body's hydration status.
The correct technique involves gently pinching or grasping a fold of skin (e.g., on the sternum or forearm), releasing it, and observing how quickly it returns to its normal position.
A rapid return (recoil) indicates normal turgor and adequate hydration, while a slow return, known as 'tenting,' suggests dehydration.

Option B: Pressing the skin is the technique used to assess for pitting edema, not turgor. It checks for fluid accumulation in the interstitial spaces.
Option C: Palpation is a general assessment term. While pinching is a type of palpation, the specific action for turgor is grasping a fold of skin. General palpation is used for assessing temperature, texture, or moisture.
Option D: Inspection is a visual examination of the skin for color, rashes, or lesions. It cannot measure the skin's elasticity or hydration status, which requires physical touch.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing The correct nursing procedure for assessing skin turgor helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Assessing skin turgor is a quick, non-invasive bedside method for a nurse to screen for dehydration, a common and potentially serious condition.
Common sites for testing turgor are the sternum, the area under the clavicle, or the forearm. The back of the hand is less reliable, especially in older adults.
What if? If the patient is an older adult, the nurse should preferably check turgor over the sternum or clavicle. Skin on the hands and arms of the elderly naturally loses elasticity with age, which can give a false positive for dehydration (tenting) even when hydration is normal.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core clinical term in the question: 'skin turgor'.
Recall the definition and purpose of this assessment. Skin turgor measures skin elasticity to check for dehydration.
Mentally review the standard procedure for this specific assessment.
Evaluate each option against the standard procedure. 'Pinching' or 'grasping a fold' is the key action.
Eliminate options describing different assessments: 'pressing' for edema, 'inspecting' for visual signs, and 'palpating' as too general.
Select the option that most accurately and specifically describes the technique for assessing skin turgor.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 72-74

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 386-388

Practise the full AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.