When bathing a comatose resident, what should a nurse aide remember if they see a reddened area on the hip?

When bathing a comatose resident, it is essential to pay close attention to any changes in the skin, such as a reddened area on the hip. This reddened area could indicate the beginning of a pressure sore or ulcer, which can develop due to constant pressure on the skin from immobility.

Keeping the resident positioned to avoid pressure on the hip is the best practice. By repositioning, you can help alleviate the pressure on that area, promoting better blood circulation and reducing the risk of skin breakdown. This proactive approach is crucial for maintaining the resident's skin integrity and overall health.

Other options, such as ignoring the reddened area, fail to address the potential for developing significant skin issues. Informing the family may be informative but does not provide immediate care to the resident. Simply changing the bedding to a softer material might provide temporary comfort; however, it does not directly prevent or treat the risk of pressure sores effectively. Therefore, maintaining proper positioning is the most appropriate and responsible course of action.