Which action by the nurse would best assess a 30-year-old client for symptoms of dehydration?
1. Pinching skin on distal extremity between thumb and index finger
2. Comparing daily weights on chart over several days
3. Comparing intake and output over several days
4. Asking the client about the degree of thirst present
Pinching skin on distal extremity between thumb and index finger
Rationale: Pinching the skin on the distal extremity between thumb and index finger will evaluate the degree of tent-like projection; observe the timing it requires to return to normal. Prolonged return time will indicate a decreased hydration status or dehydration. Daily weight comparison can give some indication of overall fluid gain or loss, but additional causes may be present that do not directly focus on the process of evaluation for dehydration. Comparing intake and output will help evaluate the overall fluid status but does not tell if the client is dehydrated, since fluids may be retained at the kidneys and may balance intake but still leave the cells of the body dehydrated. The degree of thirst declines with the aging process and other disease processes and is not a good indicator of dehydration.
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