Certified Nursing Assistant Exam Prep

Answer: D - The nurse aide should reposition an immobile client every two hours while in bed and every hour in a chair in order to prevent pressure ulcers. Massaging the area will help increase blood flow, but the priority treatment to prevent further breakdown is repositioning. Performing range-of-motion exercises with the client will help to prevent complications of immobility, but frequent repositioning, pressure relief devices, and skin care can help prevent pressure ulcers. If a pressure ulcer forms, a dressing can be used to expedite healing by removing unwanted debris from the ulcer surface, protecting exposed viable tissues, and or providing a barrier between an open ulcer and the environment. Applying sterile dressings is more of a responsibility of the licensed nurse.