What must be done for any patient found to have skin breakdown upon admission?

The correct action for a patient found to have skin breakdown upon admission is to implement a prevention protocol. This step is essential in order to address the immediate needs of the patient and to prevent further deterioration of the skin condition.

Implementing a prevention protocol typically involves assessing the extent of the skin breakdown, identifying risk factors, and putting measures in place to promote healing and maintain skin integrity. This may include repositioning the patient regularly to alleviate pressure, using specialty mattresses or cushions to reduce pressure on vulnerable areas, ensuring proper nutrition to support skin health, and educating the patient and caregivers on skin care practices.

This proactive approach not only addresses the existing skin breakdown but also helps in preventing additional injuries, promoting patient comfort and recovery. In contrast, other options such as initiating physical therapy or scheduling additional surgeries do not directly address the immediate concern of skin integrity and could potentially worsen the patient’s condition if mobility is not properly managed. Withdrawing mobility assistance could increase the risk of further breakdown due to pressure accumulation, which makes it an inappropriate response.