Pressure Ulcer Survey

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Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Reduction Interventions

Daily Skin Inspection

• Daily skin assessments (watch for any changes in the skin).
• Special support surfaces (examples, air, water, gel, or foam).
• Regular repositioning (keep off bony prominences, encourage mobility, or passive range of motion techniques, daily physical therapy).
• Nutritional support (encourage eating and drinking).
• Skin moisture management (keep the skin moisturized with lotion).

Reference:

Gender, A. (2008). Pressure ulcer prevention and management. Retrieved from http://www.rehabnurse.org/pdf/GeriatricsPressureUlcer.pdf

Skin Moisture Management

Special Support Devices

Nutritional Support

Common Pressure Ulcer Sites

Pressure ulcers occur on areas of the body that experience the most bearable pressure, friction and/or shearing conditions. Paralyzed and bed bound patients are at the highest risk of developing pressure ulcers (Adams, 2010). Patients that are confined to wheelchairs wil most frequently experience pressure ulcers on the body where their wheelchairs tend to cause the most constant pressure which are the arms, back,and shoulders due to friction of the chair and pressing on the wheelchair as they roll (Adams, 2010).

The hips, tailbone, and buttocks are other areas that are at risk of developing pressure ulcers for chair and bed bound patients because of decreased sensation below the waist and the inability to shift positions (Adams, 2010). For bed bound patients the head and ears are common sites for pressure ulcers. For the wheelchair bound patient the legs, ankles, knees, and heels are also at risk of developing pressure ulcers because their legs resting up against the lower portion of the wheelchair for extended periods of time (Adams, 2010). The bed bound patient is also at risk of developing pressure ulcers in these areas due to friction and shearing for sliding in the bed to change position's (Adams, 2010).

Reference:

Adams, A. (2010). Common sites of pressure ulcers. Retrieved from http://livestrong.com/article/125638-common-sites-pressure-ulcers/

Common Pressure Ulcer Sites Diagrams

Photos of Other Wound Types and Skin Injuries

Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Skin Tear

Perineal Dermatitis

Arterial Ulcer

Venous Ulcer

References:
Pictures
Google Images. (2012). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=google+images&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADRA_enUS378

Other Wounds Types and Skin Injuries

Skin Tears- are traumatic skin injuries that result from external friction and/or shearing due to the separation of the epidermis and dermis skin layers. Skin tears are mostly present on the hands, and upper extremities (London Health Sciences Center, 2009).

Venous Ulcers- are shallow dark red or purple wounds on the lower legs that develops when the veins of the lower legs fail to return blood back toward the heart (Kita, 2009).

Arterial Ulcers- are caused by decreased perfusion to the lower extremities. Arterial ulcers are mostly found on the toes, outer ankle, or where there is pressure as a result of walking or footwear (Boertje, 2010).

Diabetic Ulcers- are ulcers that may occur as a direct result of having diabetes mellitus. Diabetic foot lesions are the cause of more hospitalizations than any other complication associated with diabetes mellitus (Rowe, 2011).

Perineal Dermatitis- is inflammation of the skin around the perineal area, upper thigh, and buttocks that is mostly associated with urinary incontinence (Diver, 2007).


References:

Boertje, J. (2009). Arterial ulcers and wound care: Symptoms, causes, treatments, and risks. Retrieved from http://www.woundsource.com/article/arterial-ulcers-and-wound-care-symptoms-causes-treatments-and-risks

Diver, D.S. (2007). Perineal dermatitis in critical care patients. Retrieved from http://ccn.aacnjournals.org/contents/27/4/42./full

Kita, N. (2009). Venous ulcer. Retrieved from http://plasticsurgery.about.com/od/glossary/g/venous_ulcer.htm

London Health Sciences Center. (2009). Skin tear. Retrieved from http://lhsc.on.ca/Health_Professionals/Wound_Care/skintear.htm

Rowe, V.L. (2011). Diabetic ulcers. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/460282-overview

Understanding Wound Care: Pressure Ulcers Video

Vohrawoundvideo (2011). Understand wound care: Pressure ulcers. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzu3PSRfY1w

Jeopardy Game

SuperTeacherTools (n.d.). Pressure ulcer review game. Retrieved from http://www.superteachertools.com/jeopardyx/jeopardy-review-game.php?gamefile=131359722