A bedridden client requires which nursing action to protect skin integrity?

• A. Keep the skin clean and dry.
• B. Massage the skin every two hours.
• C. Reposition the patient frequently.
• D. Apply heat to the skin.

Answer: (C)

Relieving sustained pressure on vulnerable areas is the key to protecting skin when someone is bedridden. When a person stays in one position, weight presses on the skin over bones, compressing small blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the tissue. That lack of circulation can lead to tissue damage and pressure ulcers. Repositioning the patient frequently shifts these pressure points, distributes body weight more evenly, and allows better blood flow to all areas, which is the most effective way to prevent skin breakdown in immobile clients.

Keeping the skin clean and dry is important for overall skin health, but it doesn’t relieve pressure. Massaging fragile skin over bony prominences is not advised, and applying heat can cause burns or worsen skin damage.