What is the "best" intervention in the prevention of dry skin?

Question

Fundamentals of Nursing NCLEX prep-exam question with rationales.

Choice 1

Encourage hydration, use of non-irritating, mild soap when bathing, and apply moisturizing lotion. 

Choice 2

Advise the patient to decrease bathing frequency to every-other-day. 

Choice 3

Refer the patient for a dietary consultation.

Choice 4

There is not any need for any intervention. The patient does not have any dryness for skin concerns. 

Answer 1

The best intervention in the prevention of dry skin is choice 1: Encourage hydration, use of non-irritating, mild soap when bathing, and apply moisturizing lotion.

Explanation: Dry skin is caused by a lack of moisture in the skin. Encouraging hydration can help to increase moisture in the body, which can in turn help to prevent dry skin. Using a non-irritating, mild soap when bathing can help to prevent stripping the skin of its natural oils, which can contribute to dryness. Applying moisturizing lotion can also help to add moisture to the skin and prevent dryness. Referring the patient for a dietary consultation may be appropriate if the dry skin is related to a nutritional deficiency, but it is not the best intervention for prevention. Choice 2, advising the patient to decrease bathing frequency to every-other-day, may help to prevent further drying of the skin but does not address hydration or moisturization. Choice 4 is incorrect as the patient has dry skin, which needs to be addressed to prevent further complications.

Answer 2

Correct Answer

Encourage hydration, use of non-irritating, mild soap when bathing, and apply moisturizing lotion.

Rationale:

Adequate hydration via oral intake, non-use of harsh soaps or no soap at all, and the application of a moisturizing lotion all promote healthy skin. Hydration helps improve skin elasticity. Soap can cause drying and irritation of the skin. The use of a moisturizer acts like a skin barrier to help prevent moisture from skin cells escaping. 

Choice 2

Advise the patient to decrease bathing frequency to every-other-day.

Rationale:

Bathing daily can remove essential oils and increase the risk of dry skin. Bathing every-other-day may be beneficial to promote healthy and moisturized skin. (Although this answer is correct, it is not the "best" answer. Why not? Encouraging hydration, non-usage of soap, and the application of a moisturizing lotion is a more appropriate intervention at this time. The question asks what is the best intervention for the prevention of dry skin and not what is the best intervention for the treatment of dry skin. This response would be more appropriate as an intervention of treatment and not prevention ). 

Choice 3 

 Refer the patient for a dietary consultation.

Rationale: 

A healthy diet plays a big role in the promotion of healthy and moisturized skin. A dietary consultation is favorable. (Although this answer is correct, it is not the "best" answer. Why not? A nurse can provide dietary education and recommendation without a dietary referral or consultation. This measure may be considered extreme.). 

Choice 4 

There is not any need for any intervention. The patient does not have any dryness for skin concerns.

Rationale:

The patient has healthy and hydrated skin. There are no evident concerns of skin dryness.

(Although this answer is correct, it is not the "best" answer. Why not? The question asked what is the best intervention in the prevention of dry skin. Although the patient does not have any current concerns, keep in mind the question is focusing on the "prevention" and maintenance of the skins current condition.).