Which action most effectively helps prevent skin breakdown in a bedridden patient?

Which action most effectively helps prevent skin breakdown in a bedridden patient?

• A. Use hot baths daily
• B. Reposition every 2 hours
• C. Massage vigorously over bony prominences
• D. Keep skin constantly wet

Answer: (B)

Relieving prolonged pressure on the skin is the key to preventing breakdown. Repositioning the bedridden patient at regular intervals, such as every two hours, reduces continuous load on bony prominences (like the sacrum, heels, and hips) and helps restore blood flow to those areas, lowering the risk of pressure ulcers. Other actions can worsen skin condition: hot baths can dry and irritate or burn the skin; vigorous massage over bony areas can cause tissue injury; keeping the skin constantly wet leads to maceration and infection. So, regular turning combined with good skin care and protective supports best protects the skin.

Relieving prolonged pressure on the skin is the key to preventing breakdown. Repositioning the bedridden patient at regular intervals, such as every two hours, reduces continuous load on bony prominences (like the sacrum, heels, and hips) and helps restore blood flow to those areas, lowering the risk of pressure ulcers. Other actions can worsen skin condition: hot baths can dry and irritate or burn the skin; vigorous massage over bony areas can cause tissue injury; keeping the skin constantly wet leads to maceration and infection. So, regular turning combined with good skin care and protective supports best protects the skin.