What does good skin turgor indicate in hydration assessment?

What does good skin turgor indicate in hydration assessment?

• A. Overhydration
• B. Unknown hydration
• C. Dehydration
• D. Adequate hydration

Answer: (D)

Skin turgor shows how elastic the skin is and how quickly it returns to its normal shape after being pinched. When hydration is adequate, the skin snaps back quickly, indicating that there’s enough fluid in the tissues to keep them pliable. This quick recoil is the sign that the body's fluid balance is likely normal. Dehydration tends to blunt this elasticity, causing a slower return or tenting of the skin. Overhydration can complicate the picture because edema can mask true skin elasticity, and unknown hydration isn’t reflected by a rapid rebound. So, good skin turgor mainly points to adequate hydration.

Skin turgor shows how elastic the skin is and how quickly it returns to its normal shape after being pinched. When hydration is adequate, the skin snaps back quickly, indicating that there’s enough fluid in the tissues to keep them pliable. This quick recoil is the sign that the body's fluid balance is likely normal. Dehydration tends to blunt this elasticity, causing a slower return or tenting of the skin. Overhydration can complicate the picture because edema can mask true skin elasticity, and unknown hydration isn’t reflected by a rapid rebound. So, good skin turgor mainly points to adequate hydration.