Term
| definition of a pressure ulcer |
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Definition
a lesion caused by unrelieved stress resulting in damage of underlying soft tissue
time it takes to form is depended on comorbid conditions |
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Term
| frequent location of pressure ulcers |
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Definition
sites with little fat and muscle over prominences will often get bed sores
the elderly are the most affected group along with those with nervous system injuries bc they can't feel it |
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Term
| why are pressure ulcers such a problem in the elderly population |
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Definition
nDecreases local blood supply to the skin
nSkin layers flatten and thin
nSubcutaneous fat decreases
nLoss of elasticity with Collagen Fibers |
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Term
| external risk factors to pressure ulcers |
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Definition
-pressure
-shearing force (i.e. when a patient is on an incline, the bed can present a shearing force)
-friction
-moisture (urine and fecal incontinence) |
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Term
| how is smoking an internal risk factor for developing pressure ulcers |
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Definition
| because it is a potent vasoconstrictor and and is linked to lower extremity issues |
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Term
stages of pressure ulcers:
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Definition
STAGE 1: blanching of skin but intact
STAGE 2: shallow superficial clean wound
STAGE 3: deeper down to full thickness of skin, but not deeper tissues. demarcated wound bed. NO ESHAR. (can come from deep wound)
STAGE 4: very deep down to muscle and/or bone. tunneling with NO ESHAR. (can come from deep wound)
**with ESHAR present (dead skin covering ulcer), the ulcer is unstageable. MUST REMOVE ESHAR |
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Term
| best ways to prevent pressure ulcers |
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Definition
-frequent inspection
-keeping surface area clean
-movement and mechanical maintenance |
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Term
| complications of pressure ulcers |
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Definition
nSepsis
nCellulitis/ Local Infection
nOsteomyelitis |
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