Dry skin (xerosis) can lead to itching (pruritus). What statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching about dry skin?

Choice A reason: Stage 1 is a wound that involves only the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. It appears as a nonblanchable redness, warmth, or hardness on intact skin. It does not have any breakage or ulceration of the skin.

Choice B reason: Stage 2 is a wound that involves the epidermis and the dermis, the second layer of the skin. It appears as a shallow, open, reddened ulcer with a partialthickness loss of skin. It may have some serous exudate, but no slough or eschar. It may also present as a blister or abrasion.

Choice C reason: Stage 3 is a wound that involves the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue, the third layer of the skin. It appears as a deep, open, reddened ulcer with a fullthickness loss of skin. It may have some slough or eschar, but no exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. It may also have tunneling or undermining of the wound edges.

Choice D reason: Stage 4 is a wound that involves the epidermis, the dermis, the subcutaneous tissue, and the underlying structures, such as bone, tendon, or muscle. It appears as a deep, open, reddened ulcer with a fullthickness loss of skin and tissue. It has exposed bone, tendon, or muscle, which may be visible or palpable. It may also have slough, eschar, necrosis, infection, or osteomyelitis.

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect answer because Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers certain groups of people, such as the elderly, the disabled, and the lowincome. Medicare does not publish the National Patient Safety Goals, but it does have its own quality and safety standards that health care providers must meet to receive reimbursement.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect answer because the American Nurses Association (ANA) is a professional organization that represents the interests of registered nurses in the United States. The ANA does not publish the National Patient Safety Goals, but it does have its own code of ethics, standards of practice, and policies that guide nursing practice and promote quality and safety.

Choice C reason: This is the correct answer because the Joint Commission is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. The Joint Commission publishes the National Patient Safety Goals, which are specific and measurable goals that address the most critical patient safety issues in health care. The Joint Commission updates the goals annually based on the latest evidence and expert input.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect answer because the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is a division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which is a private, nonprofit organization that provides independent, objective, and authoritative advice to inform policy and practice. The IOM does not publish the National Patient Safety Goals, but it does conduct research and issue reports on various topics related to health and health care, including quality and safety.