Which of the following goals is most appropriate when caring for a client at risk for skin breakdown?

A. This is an intervention, not a goal. Applying barrier cream is a specific nursing action used to prevent skin breakdown, but goals should focus on desired client outcomes rather than tasks performed by the nurse. B. Assessing the skin is an important part of care and a nursing intervention, but it does not describe the expected end result or outcome for the client. Goals should reflect what the client is expected to achieve or maintain. C. This is the most appropriate goal for a client at risk for skin breakdown. It is client-centered, measurable, and outcome-oriented, indicating the desired result of nursing interventions. Maintaining intact skin directly reflects prevention of pressure injuries, abrasions, or other skin compromise. D. While minimizing pain is important, it is not the primary goal related to the risk of skin breakdown unless the client is already experiencing painful lesions. The priority for a client at risk is preventing skin compromise.