Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What occurs due to recurrent friction skin damage?

1. Increased skin hydration

2. Superficial skin loss

3. Complete healing of the skin

4. Formation of deep tissue injury

The correct answer is: Superficial skin loss

Recurrent friction skin damage leads to superficial skin loss, which is a key characteristic of conditions such as abrasions or superficial wounds. This type of damage often occurs when the skin is repeatedly subjected to friction, leading to the uppermost layers of the skin being worn away or destroyed. In the context of this question, superficial skin loss refers to the loss of the epidermal layer, potentially leading to redness, irritation, and in some cases, blister formation. In addition to the focus on superficial skin loss, it is important to note that increased skin hydration is not a consequence of friction; in fact, excessive friction often leads to the opposite effect, drying out the skin and making it more susceptible to damage. Complete healing of the skin is not recognized as a result of recurrent friction damage, as repeated trauma may prevent the area from fully recovering. Finally, while deep tissue injury can occur in certain scenarios involving pressure and shear forces, it is generally associated with sustained pressure rather than friction alone, distinguishing it from the superficial injuries typically caused by recurrent friction. Therefore, recognizing the mechanism of superficial skin loss aids in understanding the impacts of friction on the skin's integrity.