Question

An 88-year-old client who has limited mobility is admitted to the hospital. Which action by the nurse prevents injury to the skin normally caused by friction?

1) Sprinkling baby powder on the sheets to keep the skin dry
2) Placing the client in the prone position
3) Avoiding use of a draw sheet when repositioning the client
4) Elevating the head of the bed to a 60-degree angle

Answer 1

The nurse can prevent skin injury caused by friction in an immobile elderly patient by using a draw sheet when repositioning the client, which is a method to reduce friction and shear stress.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prevent injury to the skin normally caused by friction, especially in an 88-year-old client with limited mobility, the appropriate action by the nurse would be using a draw sheet when repositioning the client. This technique helps to reduce friction and shear stress on the skin by distributing the force over a larger area and keeping the skin from dragging across bed linens. It is a widely accepted practice for skin protection and preventing bedsores, which are preventable by eliminating pressure points.

Options such as sprinkling baby powder on the sheets to keep the skin dry and placing the client in the prone position do not specifically address the issue of skin damage due to friction and may not be suitable for all patients. Elevating the head of the bed to a 60-degree angle could increase shearing forces and is not advised in this context.