Describing Skin Turgor

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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, it took like 1/2 a second to fall back down.

Thanks.

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snwflknurse said:
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.

Her turgor then would be within normal limits,if it takes longer than just a millisecond then you record it as-skin turgor + 2 (seconds) or whatever number you come up with.

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Okay this is a great question, I got marked off heavily today on my assessment for using the "good skin turgor" my prof. advised me to use the medical term. Do any one know what its is I am still looking.

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thanks! bet you can't guess what i'm doing right now.. ?

Cubby said:
Her turgor then would be within normal limits,if it takes longer than just a millisecond then you record it as-skin turgor + 2 (seconds) or whatever number you come up with.
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Specializes in LTC.

our form says elastic or non elastic

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snwflknurse said:
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.

we usually use:

elastic recoil @ upper chest wall

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Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.

We use tenting/no tenting.

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Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.

I use "elastic" also.

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We use resilient if it is good...haha did I spell that right? I'm tired!

For example: "skin is resilient and urine output is 45ml/hr" on a post-op pt at risk for dehydration,etc.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

We are supposed to measure in seconds. Good is

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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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I always say brisk.

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