Long-Term Care

MAINTAIN SKIN INTEGRITY

LTC Nursing Assistant Trainer, May 10, 2006

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Skin breakdown in elders is caused by many factors including age, immobility, poor nutrition, and incontinence. CNAs can help prevent skin breakdown in their residents, however, by following these nursing care measures:

* Inspect residents' skin daily and report early signs of skin problems

* Keep skin clean

* Apply lotion to dry skin

* Be gentle with skin such as patting rather than rubbing the skin dry after a bath

* Keep areas of the skin that touch each other dry

* Turn or reposition immobile residents every two hours

* Position residents to avoid undue pressure on sensitive areas

* Encourage ambulation

* Gently massage the area around bony prominences of at-risk residents to help improve circulation

* Use special beds and padding

* Encourage good nutrition



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