During the admission assessment of a client with isotonic dehydration, which finding should the nurse expect to observe?

In the context of isotonic dehydration, one significant finding that can be expected during an admission assessment is skin tenting. Isotonic dehydration occurs when there is a decrease in both water and sodium levels in the body, usually from causes such as vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating, leading to a volume deficit that affects skin turgor.

Skin tenting occurs when the skin loses its elasticity due to dehydration. When pinched, the skin may remain elevated and take longer to return to its normal position. This physical sign is a reflection of the body’s reduced fluid volume and can indicate dehydration severity.

While other findings such as flat neck veins, weak peripheral pulses, and moist oral mucous membranes can also be associated with dehydration, they may not specifically indicate isotonic dehydration as explicitly as skin tenting does. Flat neck veins can suggest a reduction in circulating blood volume, but they are not a definitive sign of isotonic dehydration specifically. Weak peripheral pulses may indicate low blood volume or pressure but can be seen in various conditions. Moist oral mucous membranes are actually contrary to dehydration symptoms, as dehydration would typically lead to dry mucous membranes.

Therefore, skin tenting is a reliable and visible sign indicating isotonic dehydration, making it an