A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about the importance of pressure injury prevention. What should be included?

A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about the importance of pressure injury prevention. What should be included?

• A. Encourage long periods of bed rest for all patients
• B. Use moisturizers to improve skin integrity
• C. Limit repositioning of patients to twice a day
• D. Advise against the use of support surfaces in bed-bound individuals

Answer: (B)

Using moisturizers to improve skin integrity is an essential aspect of pressure injury prevention. Moisturizers help to maintain skin hydration, reduce friction, and enhance the skin's barrier function, which is crucial for preventing breakdown and injury. Healthy, well-hydrated skin is more resilient and less likely to suffer from pressure-related damage. The other options do not align with effective pressure injury prevention strategies. For instance, encouraging long periods of bed rest can actually increase the risk of pressure injuries due to prolonged pressure on specific areas of the body. Limiting repositioning of patients to only twice a day does not provide adequate movement to relieve pressure consistently, which is critical for those at risk. Additionally, advising against the use of support surfaces overlooks their significant role in redistributing pressure and protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly those who are bed-bound.

Using moisturizers to improve skin integrity is an essential aspect of pressure injury prevention. Moisturizers help to maintain skin hydration, reduce friction, and enhance the skin's barrier function, which is crucial for preventing breakdown and injury. Healthy, well-hydrated skin is more resilient and less likely to suffer from pressure-related damage.

The other options do not align with effective pressure injury prevention strategies. For instance, encouraging long periods of bed rest can actually increase the risk of pressure injuries due to prolonged pressure on specific areas of the body. Limiting repositioning of patients to only twice a day does not provide adequate movement to relieve pressure consistently, which is critical for those at risk. Additionally, advising against the use of support surfaces overlooks their significant role in redistributing pressure and protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly those who are bed-bound.