RN Exam Practice
Reduction of Risk PotentialQuestion 2197 of 2368

The skin of an 82-year-old client tents on the forearm. How should the nurse interpret this?

  1. It confirms that the client is dehydrated and needs IV fluids right away
  2. It confirms that the client has fluid volume excess and needs diuretics
  3. It is an expected finding in older adults and needs no further checks
  4. It is unreliable in older adults, so other hydration checks are needed
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Correct answer: It is unreliable in older adults, so other hydration checks are needed

Older adults have decreased skin elasticity, so turgor is unreliable for assessing dehydration.

Source: Nursing Skills, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Integumentary Assessment: Objective Assessment. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Reduction of Risk Potential"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026