How is skin integrity protected during MLD?

• A. Use clean hands, check for wounds or infections, avoid treating broken skin, and adjust pressure to prevent irritation.
• B. Use dirty hands to increase friction.
• C. Treat broken skin with higher pressure.
• D. Wipe skin with alcohol before every touch.

Answer: (A)

Protecting skin integrity during MLD comes from hygiene, careful skin assessment, and a gentle technique. Using clean hands reduces the chance of introducing bacteria to the skin. Before starting, check the skin for wounds, breaks, or signs of infection; if skin is broken or irritated, you avoid treating those areas to prevent worsening infection or injury. The pressure should be adjusted so the touch remains light and non-irritating, minimizing friction and shear that can damage the skin. Alcohol on the skin before touch can be drying and irritating, and dirty hands would defeat these safety goals. So, using clean hands, checking for wounds, avoiding broken skin, and modulating pressure to prevent irritation is the best approach to protect skin during MLD.