A nurse is developing a plan of care to prevent skin breakdown for a client with a spinal cord injury and paralysis. Which of the following nursing actions are appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
Massage over erythematous bony prominences.
Minimize skin exposure to moisture.
Use pillows to keep heels off the bed surface.
Implement a turning schedule every 4 hours.
Keep the client's skin dry with powder.
Correct Answer : B,C
The correct answer is b. Minimize skin exposure to moisture and c. Use pillows to keep heels off the bed surface.
Choice A reason:
a. Massage over erythematous bony prominences: This is incorrect because massaging erythematous (reddened) areas can cause further tissue damage and exacerbate skin breakdown.
Choice B reason:
b. Minimize skin exposure to moisture: This is correct. Moisture can lead to skin maceration, increasing the risk of skin breakdown. Keeping the skin dry helps maintain its integrity.
Choice C reason:
c. Use pillows to keep heels off the bed surface: This is correct. Elevating the heels reduces pressure on them, preventing pressure ulcers.
Choice D reason:
d. Implement a turning schedule every 4 hours: This is incorrect. To prevent pressure injuries, turning should be done every 2 hours, not every 4 hours.
Choice E reason:
e. Keep the client’s skin dry with powder: This is incorrect. Powder can cause skin irritation and breakdown.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Assessing the coping ability of the client is important, but it is not the immediate priority following abdominal surgery. The nurse must first ensure that the client's physiological needs are met and that there are no immediate postoperative complications.
Choice B reason:
While monitoring bowel sounds can provide valuable information about the return of gastrointestinal function, it is not the most immediate concern postoperatively. The nurse should prioritize assessments that ensure the client's safety and immediate physiological stability.
Choice C reason:
Ensuring the patency of the NG tube is the priority assessment. A patent NG tube is crucial for decompressing the stomach, preventing nausea and vomiting, and reducing the risk of aspiration, which can be life-threatening. It is also essential for the removal of gastric secretions and to prevent abdominal distention, which can compromise the surgical site and lead to complications such as wound dehiscence.
Choice D reason:
Assessing the surgical dressing is important to check for signs of bleeding or infection. However, the patency of the NG tube takes precedence as it is directly related to the client's airway and breathing, which are always the top priorities in postoperative care.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The statement about eating a high fiber diet reducing the risk for developing skin cancer is misleading. While a high fiber diet has many health benefits, there is no direct evidence that it significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer prevention primarily focuses on protecting the skin from excessive sun exposure and avoiding ultraviolet (UV) light sources.
Choice B reason:
Avoiding the use of tanning booths is correct advice. Tanning booths emit UV radiation, which can increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The use of tanning beds is strongly discouraged by health professionals.
Choice C reason:
Using sunscreen even on cloudy days is also correct. UV rays can penetrate through clouds, and sun protection is necessary regardless of the weather to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin and reapplied regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.
Choice D reason:
Checking the skin monthly for any changes is an important part of skin cancer prevention. Early detection of changes in moles or new skin growths can lead to early diagnosis and treatment, which is crucial for a better prognosis. This practice should be encouraged as part of routine self-care.
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