What is the purpose of assessing skin turgor in a client?

Assessing skin turgor is primarily used to check for dehydration. Skin turgor refers to the skin's elasticity and its ability to return to its normal position after being pinched. When a person is adequately hydrated, the skin will quickly return to its original shape. In contrast, if a person is dehydrated, the skin may remain tented or take longer to resume its normal position, indicating a loss of fluid.

This assessment is particularly useful in various clinical settings, especially in elderly patients or those with conditions that predispose them to fluid loss. Dehydration can have significant implications for overall health, affecting organ function and potentially leading to complications if not addressed.

While the other options mention important assessments, they do not relate directly to the function of skin turgor. Pain tolerance is evaluated through subjective measures and not through skin turgor; tissue mass refers to weight or volume of the tissue rather than skin elasticity; and ecchymosis relates to bruising rather than the hydration status of the skin. Therefore, assessing skin turgor serves a specific and vital function in evaluating hydration.