Dr. Smith prescribes an emollient for a client with pruritus of recent onset. The client asks why the emollient should be applied immediately after a bath or shower. How should the nurse respond?
a. “This makes the skin feel soft.”
b. “This prevents evaporation of water from the hydrated epidermis.”
c. “This minimizes cracking of the dermis.”
d. “This prevents inflammation of the skin.”
Answer B. Applying an emollient immediately after taking a bath or shower prevents evaporation of water from the hydrated epidermis, the skin’s upper layer.
Although emollients make the skin feel soft, this effect occurs whether or not the client has just bathed or showered.
An emollient minimizes cracking of the epidermis, not the dermis (the layer beneath the epidermis). An emollient doesn’t prevent skin inflammation.
a. “This makes the skin feel soft.”
b. “This prevents evaporation of water from the hydrated epidermis.”
c. “This minimizes cracking of the dermis.”
d. “This prevents inflammation of the skin.”
Answer B. Applying an emollient immediately after taking a bath or shower prevents evaporation of water from the hydrated epidermis, the skin’s upper layer.
Although emollients make the skin feel soft, this effect occurs whether or not the client has just bathed or showered.
An emollient minimizes cracking of the epidermis, not the dermis (the layer beneath the epidermis). An emollient doesn’t prevent skin inflammation.