Final answer:
When caring for a client in the prone position, it is vital to monitor for skin breakdown of the sacrum due to pressure exerted in this area.
Step-by-step explanation:
When developing a plan of care for a client who has been in the protective prone position, it is essential for the nurse to monitor for skin breakdown of the sacrum. A body lying down in the prone position is described as facing downward. The prone position can increase the risk of pressure ulcers, particularly over bony prominences such as the sacrum due to the body's weight exerting pressure on the skin against the surface.
Monitoring for plantar flexion of the feet, hyperextension of the hips, or flexion contracture of the neck is also important, but these conditions are less likely to occur constantly and solely because of the prone position. Clear protocols for repositioning and appropriate support can reduce these risks.