A nurse working on a surgical unit is developing a care plan for a client who has paraplegia. The client has an area of nonblanchable erythema over his ischium. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the care plan?

Rationale: A. Assess pressure points every 24 hr: Skin assessment should be performed at least every shift or more frequently in high-risk clients. Waiting 24 hours between assessments increases the risk of progression from erythema to ulceration due to unrelieved pressure. B. Turn and reposition the client every 3 hr while in bed: Clients at risk for pressure injuries should be repositioned at least every 2 hours in bed to promote circulation and reduce tissue ischemia. Extending this interval to 3 hours is inadequate for prevention or healing. C. Teach the client to shift his weight every 15 min while sitting: Teaching the client to perform weight shifts every 15 minutes reduces pressure on the ischial areas, promoting blood flow and preventing further skin breakdown. This intervention empowers self-care and is a key preventive strategy for wheelchair-bound clients. D. Place the client upright on a donut-shaped cushion: Donut cushions can impair circulation around the pressure site by concentrating pressure on surrounding tissue, worsening ischemia and tissue damage. Pressure-redistribution cushions or gel pads are safer alternatives.