A nurse is planning a presentation for a group of adults greater than 70 years of age about health promotion and disease prevention. Which of the following would the nurse give the highest priority to recommend for this age group?

A. Capillary refill is less than 2 seconds: A rapid capillary refill indicates good peripheral perfusion, which reduces the risk of tissue ischemia and pressure injury. This finding reflects normal circulatory function and is not a risk factor for PI formation.

B. Fecal incontinence: Fecal incontinence increases the risk of pressure injury because moisture, enzymes, and bacteria from stool can macerate the skin, impairing its integrity. Combined with immobility or pressure over bony prominences, incontinence significantly contributes to skin breakdown and PI development.

C. A raised red rash on the right shin: While a rash may indicate irritation or dermatitis, it is a localized skin condition and does not automatically reflect a generalized risk for pressure injuries. Pressure injuries are primarily associated with sustained pressure, friction, shear, and moisture over bony prominences.

D. Ate two thirds of breakfast: Nutritional intake is important for skin integrity, but consuming most of a meal indicates adequate intake rather than a risk factor. Malnutrition or insufficient caloric/protein intake would increase PI risk, but this observation alone does not.

A. Sacral area: The sacral area is commonly used to assess for pressure injuries, especially in bedridden patients, but it is not ideal for assessing skin turgor. In older adults, the skin over the sacrum may be affected by chronic edema, thinning, or immobility, which can give misleading results when assessing elasticity.

B. Sternum: The sternum is the preferred site for assessing skin turgor in older adults because the skin here is less affected by age-related laxity and subcutaneous fat loss compared with extremities. Pinching the skin over the sternum provides a more accurate indication of hydration status and elasticity without interference from normal aging changes.

C. Back of the hand: In older adults, the skin on the hands tends to be thin, wrinkled, and less elastic due to aging, which can lead to false-positive signs of dehydration when assessing turgor. This makes it an unreliable site for hydration assessment.

D. Axillary region: The axilla is warm and moist, which can make it difficult to accurately assess skin turgor. Additionally, skin in this area is not typically tested for elasticity or hydration, as it is more prone to variability and environmental influence.