Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

Upon noticing a red area on a patient's skin, what is the first action that should be taken?

1. Remove/avoid pressure

2. Apply protective lotion

3. Massage the area

4. Apply a protective dressing

The correct answer is: Remove/avoid pressure

The first action upon noticing a red area on a patient's skin should be to remove or avoid pressure. This is vital because a red area can indicate early signs of pressure injury or skin breakdown. By alleviating pressure from that area, you help to restore circulation and promote healing, which is essential in preventing the condition from worsening. In many cases of skin redness, particularly in immobilized or vulnerable patients, pressure can compromise blood flow, leading to tissue damage. Immediate intervention to relieve that pressure is critical in the early stages of skin integrity issues. While applying lotion, massaging the area, or using a protective dressing can be useful in later stages of skin care or prevention, they do not address the immediate need to relieve pressure from the skin, which is the fundamental step in managing a developing skin complication effectively.