If signs of skin breakdown are noticed, what should you do?

• A. Notify the nurse and document the finding
• B. Treat with home remedy
• C. Ignore and continue
• D. Tell the resident to ignore it

Answer: (A)

Noticing signs of skin breakdown means you should promptly tell the nurse and document what you observed. This ensures a licensed clinician can assess the situation, identify contributing factors (like pressure, moisture, or friction), and order appropriate interventions such as repositioning, proper skin care, or a wound assessment. The documentation creates a clear record for ongoing care, helps track changes, and keeps the care team informed so treatment isn’t delayed and the resident’s safety is protected. Home remedies aren’t appropriate because they can be ineffective or harmful without medical guidance, and attempting to treat it yourself could worsen the condition. Ignoring it or telling the resident to ignore it is not acceptable; it delays needed care and violates care standards.