Practice Question
A patient with severe eczema is experiencing complications that may be related to the impairment of skin functions. Which of the following nursing assessments or interventions address the compromised skin functions? (Select all that apply)
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Assess fluid balance and hydration status
Rationale:
Assess fluid balance and hydration status
🔷 The skin plays a major role in preventing fluid loss, acting as a barrier to external evaporation.
🔷 In severe eczema, the skin barrier is damaged, increasing insensible water loss and risk for dehydration.
🔷 Assessing hydration status (e.g., mucous membranes, skin turgor, intake/output) helps detect fluid imbalance early.
🔷 Adequate fluid management is essential to maintain circulatory volume and support tissue healing.
🔷 This intervention directly addresses the impaired barrier and fluid-regulation function of the skin.
Monitor for signs of infection
🔷 Intact skin provides protection against pathogens; in eczema, cracked or excoriated skin allows easier bacterial, viral, or fungal entry.
🔷 Patients may be at higher risk for secondary infections, such as impetigo or cellulitis.
🔷 Monitoring for redness, warmth, drainage, increased pain, or fever can help detect infection early.
🔷 Prompt recognition and treatment of infection prevent systemic spread and worsening skin damage.
🔷 This intervention targets the protective function of the skin that is compromised in severe eczema.
Evaluate for temperature fluctuations
🔷 The skin is important for temperature regulation through vasodilation, vasoconstriction, and sweating.
🔷 Severe eczema can interfere with normal thermoregulation, especially if large areas are inflamed or disrupted.
🔷 Evaluating for feeling too hot or cold, chills, or unusual temperature changes can indicate dysregulation.
🔷 Some treatments (e.g., occlusive dressings, topical steroids) may further influence heat retention.
🔷 Monitoring temperature helps ensure the patient is maintaining stable body temperature, reflecting the temperature-regulating function of the skin.
Suggest frequent bathing with hot water to cleanse the skin
🔷 Hot water can strip natural oils from the skin and worsen dryness and irritation in eczema.
🔷 Frequent hot bathing actually damages the skin barrier further, increasing inflammation and fluid loss.
🔷 Encourage increased sun exposure for vitamin D synthesis – Incorrect
🔷 While moderate sun aids vitamin D synthesis, excessive exposure can worsen eczema, cause burns, and increase skin cancer risk.
🔷 Sun exposure is not a primary or safe strategy for managing skin barrier impairment in severe eczema.
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This question is from Custom N1100 Fall 25 Comprehensive Final Exam which contains 86 questions.
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From Exam
Custom N1100 Fall 25 Comprehensive Final Exam
86 Questions
View Full Exam Start PracticingQuestion Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN Custom Exam(s)
- Answer Choices: 5