describing skin turgor - page 2

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Maybe I should know this, but how do you describe skin turgor in terms of measurement? Is it just normal or abnormal? Moderate? What are the standards for measurement. My clinical patient this week, when I pinched her skin,... Read More

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Nov 13, '04 by Tony35NYC

Hi,

We're not allowed to use the words "normal" or "abnormal" in our assessments because, we're told, they don't mean anything. You have to say "elastic" or "non-elastic" and if there's tenting you note that, too.
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Nov 13, '04 by belladelicious

I always say brisk.
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Nov 13, '04 by Truly_Blessed

ours is also tenting/not tenting
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Nov 13, '04 by ZootRN

Ours is brisk or elastic.
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Nov 14, '04 by mavnurse

We write "instant recoil at clavicle" (or wherever) or "skin recoil <2 secs at clavicle). HTH!
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Nov 14, '04 by NewEnglandRN

Where are you taught to assess skin turgor? Back of hand, arm, clavicle, etc.? It's so great this post came out when it did as I was wondering the same thing.

Thanks,
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Nov 14, '04 by snwflknurse

We were taught to assess turgor at the back of the hand. Glad I'm not the only one not knowing this! Take care.

Quote from MichelleinMA

Where are you taught to assess skin turgor? Back of hand, arm, clavicle, etc.? It's so great this post came out when it did as I was wondering the same thing.

Thanks,
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Nov 14, '04 by RainDreamer

When I assess for skin turgor I do back of the hand, sternum, or forehead..... at least one of these, and sometimes all of them.
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Nov 15, '04 by caligirl

I say "tenting/no tenting" but at our hospital for charting there is moist and doughy
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Nov 15, '04 by MickyB-RN

Quote from snwflknurse

Maybe I should know this, but how do you describe skin turgor in terms of measurement? Is it just normal or abnormal? Moderate? What are the standards for measurement. My clinical patient this week, when I pinched her skin, it took like 1/2 a second to fall back down.
Thanks.

I usually describe it as, skin turgor sluggish or brisk.

Kelly