A nurse is caring for an adult client who is wearing a rigid thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) brace following spinal fusion surgery. Which nursing action is MOST effective for reducing the client's risk for skin breakdown related to the brace?
Apply moisturizing lotion to any reddened areas under the brace each time the brace is removed.
Loosen the brace straps for 10 minutes every hour to improve ventilation under the device.
Place a heating pad over brace pressure points for 15 minutes twice daily to improve circulation.
Remove the brace once per shift and carefully inspect the underlying skin for redness or irritation.
Removing the brace at least once per shift (or more often if permitted) and carefully inspecting the underlying skin allows the nurse to detect early signs of pressure, friction, or moisture injury so that interventions-such as adjusting the brace or adding protective padding-can be implemented promptly. Guidelines for medical device-related pressure injury prevention recommend removing or moving devices, when possible, to assess the skin at least daily, and patient education materials for TLSO braces instruct users to inspect their skin before and after every use. Applying lotion can soften the skin and increase maceration risk; loosening straps or using heat packs does not adequately prevent pressure injury and may compromise brace effectiveness or increase moisture.
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Physiological Integrity
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