A nurse is assessing a patient's skin. Which patient is most at risk for impaired skin integrity?

A) A patient who is afebrile
B) A patient who is diaphoretic
C) A patient with strong pedal pulses
D) A patient with adequate skin turgor

Excessive moisture (diaphoretic) on the surface of the skin serves as a medium for bacterial growth and causes irritation, softens epidermal cells, and leads to skin maceration. A patient who is afebrile is not a high risk; however, a patient who is febrile (fever) is prone to skin breakdown. A patient with strong pedal pulses is not a high risk; however, a patient with vascular insufficiency is. A patient with adequate skin turgor is not a high risk; however, a patient with poor skin turgor is.