Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The acid mantle is a thin film of fatty acids and lactic acid that covers the skin's surface. Its primary function is to provide protection against the invasion of pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi. By maintaining a slightly acidic pH, the acid mantle creates an inhospitable environment for many harmful microorganisms, thus forming a critical component of the skin's defense system.

Thermoregulation is more related to the skin's ability to regulate body temperature through sweat production and blood flow adjustments. Vitamin storage is an important function of the skin, particularly with regards to fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, but it is not the primary action of the acid mantle. Similarly, waste elimination mainly involves sweat glands, which excrete waste products, rather than the functioning of the acid mantle. Therefore, the role of the acid mantle in protection clearly establishes it as the correct answer in the context of this question.