The client tells the nurse that he has noticed that one of his moles has started to burn and bleed. The nurse should pay close attention to danger signs for pigmented lesions, and would be concerned with which additional finding?

A) The patient's integumentary system is within normal limits for his age: While thinning skin and decreased turgor can be common in older adults, the specific combination of findings, including the patient feeling cold, suggests that further investigation is warranted rather than assuming they are normal.
B) The patient may have a metabolic condition causing him to feel cold: Thin skin and non-elastic turgor can be indicative of aging, but the sensation of always feeling cold may point to an underlying metabolic condition, such as hypothyroidism or poor circulation, which can affect thermoregulation.

C) The patient has abnormal thinning of skin: While skin thinning is common in older adults, it is not necessarily "abnormal" in the context of aging. However, in conjunction with other symptoms like non-elastic turgor and cold sensitivity, it may warrant further evaluation.

D) The patient should have elastic turgor: In older adults, it is common to see decreased elasticity and turgor of the skin. Therefore, expecting the patient to have elastic turgor may not be appropriate, as it reflects the natural aging process rather than a healthy standard.

A) Symmetry of lesions: While asymmetry can be a concern when assessing moles, it is not the most critical indicator when a lesion has already shown signs of burning and bleeding. Symmetry is one aspect of the overall assessment but does not immediately indicate danger in this scenario.
B) Border regularity: Irregular borders can suggest malignancy; however, the presence of burning and bleeding is a more pressing sign that warrants immediate attention. While border irregularity is important to assess, it is not as concerning as changes in color or the presence of symptoms like bleeding.
C) Diameter less than 6 mm: A diameter less than 6 mm is generally considered a normal size for moles and is not indicative of malignancy on its own. In this case, the burning and bleeding of the mole are more significant findings that raise concern, regardless of its size.
D) Color variation: Color variation in a pigmented lesion is a significant danger sign, as it can indicate changes that may suggest malignancy, especially when combined with other concerning symptoms like burning and bleeding. Variability in color may indicate the presence of different cell types and is a key factor in assessing the risk of melanoma.