As a healthcare professional with expertise in clinical assessment, I can tell you that poor skin turgor is a significant clinical sign that can indicate a variety of underlying health issues. Skin turgor refers to the elasticity and firmness of the skin. When you pinch the skin, it should quickly snap back into place. If it doesn't, this could suggest that the individual is dehydrated, as the skin loses its elasticity when there is a lack of fluid in the body.

In addition to dehydration, poor skin turgor can also be associated with malnutrition, as the skin may lose its resilience due to a lack of essential nutrients. It can also be a sign of aging, as the skin naturally loses elasticity over time.

It's important to consider other symptoms and perform a comprehensive assessment to determine the exact cause. For instance, a patient with poor skin turgor might also present with dry mucous membranes, sunken eyes, or a decreased urine output, all of which are signs of dehydration.

In summary, poor skin turgor is a clinical sign that should be taken seriously and investigated further to identify the root cause and provide appropriate treatment.

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Skin with decreased turgor remains elevated and returns slowly to its normal position. Decreased skin turgor is a late sign in dehydration. It occurs with moderate to severe dehydration. Fluid loss of 5% of the body weight is considered mild dehydration, 10% is moderate, and 15% or more is severe dehydration.read more >>