Describing Skin Turgor

[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.

[Truly_Blessed]

ours is also tenting/not tenting

[ZootRN]

Ours is brisk or elastic.

[mavnurse]

We write "instant recoil at clavicle" (or wherever) or "skin recoil

[NewEnglandRN, RN]

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,

[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.

MichelleinMA said:

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,

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

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.

[caligirl]

I say "tenting/no tenting" but at our hospital for charting there is moist and doughy

[MiaLyse, APRN]

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.

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

Kelly

[segamon]

caligirl said:

...but at our hospital for charting there is moist and doughy

lol, doughy skin turgor! =D

segamon

[queenjean]

Our assessment form has elastic/nonelastic/tenting in that category.