Question

Ms. Angie is a 78 years old resident in a local long term care facility. She is very thin and frail and, except for meals, stays in bed most of the day. This puts her at risk for developing pressure ulcers.

1.       On what areas of her body would she most likely develop pressure ulcers?

2.       How can they be prevented?

3.       How would you describe a pressure ulcer?

4.       Describe the healing process of a pressure ulcer.

Answer 1

1 Pressure sores develop in parts of the body where there is increased force while lying down.

Common sites are the maleolar area, buttock area, scapular area, back of the head, shoulder, elbows, hips, ankles, heels.

2..Prevented by

a) Regular change of position  

b) Regular massaging of this area

c) dequate hydration

d) Using of air bed

e) Use of proper antibiotics

f)Regular debridement

3. Description of an ulcer under following

Size, site, healing or not ,induration, edges( inverted or everted), bleeding , discharge,

4 four stages are there in the development of ulcer

1.discoloration of the pressure site

2.developement of pain

3.skin has broken

4.extending down to the Subcutaneous tissue then muscle

Stages of healing ulcer

Heals from periphery to center

Edges heal and becomes dry

Induration decreases

Slough reduces

Skin start develop

It takes few months to closure of ulcer