Pressure Ulcers

Question 1

Risk factors for pressure ulcers

Answer 1

• Malnourishment
• Incontinence - urinary and faecal
• Lack of mobility
• Pain - leads to reduction in mobility

Question 2

Where do pressure ulcers tend to occur?

Answer 2

• Bony prominences
• eg sacrum and heel

Question 3

Scoring system for pressure sores risk

Answer 3

Waterlow, takes into account
* BMI
* Nutritional status
* Skin type
* Mobility
* Continence

Question 4

Grading pressure ulcers

Answer 4

Question 5

Management of pressure ulcers

Answer 5

• Moist wound environment encourgaes ulcer healing - hydrocolloid dressings and hydrogels may help
• Discourage use of soap on the wound
• Avoid drying the wound
• Wound swabs not done routinely - majority are colonised with bacteria. Use abx if clinically appears infected (erythema surrounding)
• Consider referral to tissue viability
• Surgical debridement may be beneficial for certain wounds