Pressure Sores Flashcards
what are pressure sores also called
pressure ulcers
def
localised injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue usually over a bone prominence, as a result of pressure
epi
very common in bed bound patients
increases with age
what are the four main factors which cause development of pressure ulcers
1 pressure
2 shear
3 friction
4 moisture
how often should patients be repositioned to limit pressure ulcers
every 2hrs
what generates shear forces
often when patients slide down in bed
how does shear increase risk of pressure ulcers
may cause stretching and tearing of small blood vessels
how does friction cause pressure ulcers
skin tears
how does moisture cause pressure ulcers
moisture-associated dermatitis
how is circulation and tissue perfusion implicated in pressure ulcer developmentr
decreased blood flow to the skin (which can occur in sepsis, HF, PVD) contributes to tissue ischaemia and pressure ulceration
where do pressure ulcers most commonly occur
over bony prominences
what principally cause pressure ulcer formation over bone prominences
unrelieved interfacial pressure which exceeds capillary pressure
risk factors
increased age
immobility (bed bound)
neurological impairment which causes loss of sensation + paralysis
history
wound overlying a bony prominence in an area subject to pressure
associated tenderness, non-blanchable erythema, exudate suggests infection
investigations
a clinical diagnosis
