Which measures help protect bony prominences and prevent skin breakdown?

Which measures help protect bony prominences and prevent skin breakdown?

• A. Protective positioning, cushions, and Prevalon boots
• B. Tucking blankets tightly
• C. Frequent massage with lotion
• D. Elevating legs without repositioning

Answer: (A)

Protecting bony prominences comes from off-loading pressure and keeping skin well supported. Using protective positioning along with cushions and heel protectors like Prevalon boots helps spread weight away from vulnerable areas such as the heels, sacrum, elbows, and other bony points. This combination reduces prolonged pressure and friction, which are the main causes of skin breakdown in immobile patients. Tucking blankets tightly can trap and crowd the skin, increasing risk rather than decreasing it. Frequent massage with lotion isn’t a reliable way to prevent ulcers and can irritate the skin or cause slips. Elevating the legs without repositioning simply shifts pressure to other areas and doesn’t provide true off-loading.

Protecting bony prominences comes from off-loading pressure and keeping skin well supported. Using protective positioning along with cushions and heel protectors like Prevalon boots helps spread weight away from vulnerable areas such as the heels, sacrum, elbows, and other bony points. This combination reduces prolonged pressure and friction, which are the main causes of skin breakdown in immobile patients.

Tucking blankets tightly can trap and crowd the skin, increasing risk rather than decreasing it. Frequent massage with lotion isn’t a reliable way to prevent ulcers and can irritate the skin or cause slips. Elevating the legs without repositioning simply shifts pressure to other areas and doesn’t provide true off-loading.