The most effective intervention for preventing dermatitis is the application of a barrier cream directly to the patient’s perineum and buttocks because this creates a barrier from the urine and stool. An absorbent pad is an important intervention but stool and urine will still be in contact with the skin without barrier cream. Cleansing the area with soap and water is less effective than dedicated cleansers; however, cleansing should occur after each episode of incontinence, not just once a day. The patient with a recent cervical spinal cord injury is not safe to move to a bedside commode; this is not an appropriate intervention for this patient.