Conclusion

This section has focused on the topic of universal relevance to nurses and many other health professionals, the need to protect the skin and prevent breakdown. The significance of the skin barrier has been highlighted, including the need to support its structures and functions. The concept of skin vulnerability has been introduced – which conveys the need to understand both biological and behavioural basis of skin vulnerability as a platform for preventing and managing breakdown of the skin barrier; this we would argue is a fundamental nursing role. The causes of skin breakdown have been outlined followed by the related approaches to its prevention, as the initial therapeutic priority. Attention has also been given to the role of the individual in preventing breakdown, with an examination of the strategies that can be used for the nurse to support appropriate behavioural change. Other therapeutic strategies have been outlined, such as the importance of nutritional support – all of which is within the scope of the nursing role – with opportunities for supporting contributions from other members of the multidisciplinary team.