Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam

What technique should a nurse use to assess skin turgor?

1. Pinch the skin on the back of the hand

2. Pinch the skin on the sternum

3. Pinch the skin on the forearm

4. Pinch the skin on the abdomen

The correct answer is: Pinch the skin on the sternum

Assessing skin turgor is a technique used to evaluate the hydration status of a patient. The preferred method involves pinching the skin on the sternum because it is more representative of skin elasticity in both the elderly and younger individuals. The skin on the sternum tends to be thicker and less mobile than that on other areas such as the back of the hand or forearm, making it a more reliable site for this assessment. When skin turgor is assessed correctly, the nurse pinches the skin and observes how quickly it returns to its normal position; this quick return indicates good hydration, while a prolonged return can suggest dehydration. The sternum provides an optimal site for this because it is less likely to be influenced by subcutaneous fat or muscle tone, which can vary significantly among different anatomical areas. While the back of the hand, forearm, and abdomen can also be used to assess skin turgor, they may not be as accurate due to variations in skin thickness, age-related changes, and the presence of underlying fat. Therefore, using the sternum is considered best practice for an accurate assessment of hydration status.