Question

Which interventions should the nurse implement when providing care to a patient at risk for skin breakdown due to urinary incontinence?

A) Reposition the patient off at-risk areas
B) Apply a moisture barrier ointment
C) Cleanse perineal area with no-rinse cleaner
D) Encourage increased fluid intake
E) Use harsh soap for perineal cleansing
F) Apply talcum powder to the perineal area

Answer 1

To care for patients at risk of skin breakdown due to urinary incontinence, nurses should reposition patients, apply moisture barrier ointment, use no-rinse cleaners for the perineal area, and encourage increased fluid intake.

Step-by-step explanation:

When providing care to a patient at risk for skin breakdown due to urinary incontinence, the nurse should implement several interventions. These include:

• Repositioning the patient off at-risk areas to alleviate pressure and enhance circulation.
• Applying a moisture barrier ointment to protect the skin from the irritants in urine.
• Cleansing the perineal area with a no-rinse cleaner, which is gentle on the skin and more effective at maintaining skin integrity than harsh soaps.
• Encouraging increased fluid intake may help to dilute urine and decrease the risk of skin breakdown.

Interventions that should not be implemented include the use of harsh soap for perineal cleansing and the application of talcum powder to the perineal area, as these can exacerbate skin irritation and risk of infection.