The parent of a 7-month-old brings the infant to the clinic because the skin in the diaper area is excoriated and red, but there are no blisters or bleeding. The parent reports no evidence of watery stools. Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement?

A. Encourage the parent to apply lotion with each diaper change: Lotions are not usually recommended for diaper rash as they can trap moisture against the skin, worsening irritation. Barrier creams (like zinc oxide) are preferred. B. Instruct the parent to change the child's diaper more often: Frequent diaper changes help keep the area dry and clean, reducing skin irritation and promoting healing, especially when there's no sign of infection or allergy. C. Ask the parent to decrease the infant's intake of fruits for 24 hours: There’s no indication that diet is contributing to the rash, especially since there are no watery stools or other signs of gastrointestinal upset. D. Tell the parent to cleanse with soap and water at each diaper change: Using soap can dry or irritate already sensitive skin. Plain water or gentle wipes without alcohol/fragrance are preferred for cleaning the area.