The school nurse is speaking to a group of children in middle school about preventing infection. How can the nurse best explain why it is so important for the children to keep from injuring their skin?

Question

Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. "Your skin cells are packed together tightly to keep germs out. If you disrupt that barrier, germs can get into your body."
2. "The sweat on your skin discourages germ growth. You don't want to damage the cells that produce sweat."
3. "You shed skin cells all the time, along with the germs on the skin."
4. "If you damage the skin's outer layer, it will never grow back."
5. "The deep layers of your skin have special cells that eat germs."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3,5
Rationale 1: Using simple, familiar terms helps clients understand the process. The skin cells are packed tightly together.
Rationale 2: Sweat does discourage pathogen growth.
Rationale 3: Shedding of skin cells helps to rid the skin of pathogens but leaves the surface of the skin intact.
Rationale 4: The outer layer of the skin is made up of dead cells that are continually shed.
Rationale 5: Dendritic cells are in the deeper layers of the epidermis and are phagocytic.
Global Rationale: The skin and mucous membranes are considered the first line of defense against pathogen invasion. The intact skin is a formidable physical barrier to pathogens. The cells of the epidermis are packed tightly together, which discourages penetration by microbes. The outer layer of skin cells is continually shed, along with any microbes that may be clinging to them. The accessory structures of the skin secrete sebum (oil), sweat, and antimicrobial peptides that discourage microbial growth on the surface. The skin is also colonized with a variety of bacteria and fungi that are normally harmless to the host. Microbiota (flora) compete with pathogens for space and nutrients, thus creating an unfavorable growth environment for harmful organisms. However, should the skin become broken or compromised by needlesticks or catheters, some species of normal flora may become pathogenic. Damaged skin does grow back.