Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Practice Exam

The presence of poor tissue turgor in neonates is indicated by dry skin. In the context of hydration status, turgor refers to the skin's elasticity and its ability to return to its original shape after being pinched or pulled. When a neonate is dehydrated, the skin loses moisture, leading to it appearing dry and less elastic. This is a clear sign of inadequate hydration, making dry skin a critical indicator of poor tissue turgor.

While other options might suggest signs of different conditions or complications, they do not specifically correlate with poor tissue turgor as directly as dry skin does. A swollen abdomen may indicate gastrointestinal issues, sunken eyes could reflect severe dehydration but also might present with other conditions, and a high temperature may suggest an infection or other systemic issues. These signs are important but do not assess tissue turgor in the same way dry skin does.