Which intervention can a UAP perform in skin care?

Assisting a client in bathing and applying wet dressings is a task that falls within the scope of practice for a Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). UAPs are trained to provide basic personal care, which includes helping clients with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, and dressing. By assisting with bathing, a UAP helps in maintaining skin hygiene, which is essential for preventing skin issues and promoting overall health.

Applying wet dressings is also within the realm of tasks that UAPs can perform, provided they have received appropriate training on how to do so safely. Wet dressings can serve various purposes, including soothing inflamed skin or promoting healing in specific skin conditions. This intervention supports the nursing care plan and helps ensure that clients receive the necessary skin care without overstepping the UAP's professional boundaries.

In contrast, performing minor surgical procedures and conducting full skin assessments require specific clinical training and licensure, and administering topical medications involves a deeper level of medical knowledge regarding pharmacology, indications, and contraindications that UAPs do not possess.