Question

While assessing the nails of a client with diabetes, the nurse finds that the skin on the client’s hands and feet are dry due to infection. What could be the reason for this dryness?

Answer 1

Answer:

Cutting of nails after soaking them in wate for 10 mins.

Explanation:

Normally, nails should be cut after soaking them in warm water for 10 minutes. This action should not be performed for diabetic clients because soaking the nails will dry out the hands and feet, which may lead to infection. Applying moisturizing lotion between the toes will promote microorganism growth; it will not dry the skin. Cutting nails straight across and even with the tops of the fingers or toes is the proper way to maintain nail hygiene. Diabetic clients are advised not to use sharp objects to poke or dig under the toenails or around the cuticles to avoid injury to the skin.

Answer 2

In a diabetic patient, the high level of blood glucose can damage the nerve causing neuropathy. The diabetic patient might get dry skin because the neuropathy happens in the autonomic nervous system that was regulating the skin glands excretion. 
Other things that can cause dryness would be soaking your skin in warm water.