Pressure Injury (Pressure Ulcer)

Body Systems › Integumentary System › Pressure Injury (Pressure Ulcer)
Skin/Wounds Clinical reference

Pressure Injury (Pressure Ulcer)

Pressure injuries: localized skin/tissue damage from sustained pressure, friction, or shear. NPUAP staging I-IV + unstageable + deep tissue injury. Braden scale for risk. Repositioning q2h is standard.

pressure injury pressure ulcer decubitus ulcer bedsore pressure sore
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Core official overview

What this condition is

Pressure sores are areas of damaged skin caused by staying in one position for too long. They commonly form where your bones are close to your skin, such as your ankles, back, elbows, heels and hips. You are at risk if you are bedridden, use a wheelchair, or are unable to change your position. Pressure sores can cause serious infections, some of which are life-threatening. They can be a problem for people in nursing…

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Common tests

Tests performed

Braden Scale assessment Wound measurement (length × width × depth) Nutritional assessment (albumin, prealbumin) CBC Blood culture (systemic infection) Wound culture (per clinical judgment) X-ray (osteomyelitis concern)
Common medications

Recognize the drug and the class

Repositioning q2h (prevention) Pressure-redistributing mattress/surfaces Moisture barriers (incontinence-associated) Wound cleansing with saline Dressings by stage: hydrocolloid (I-II), foam (III-IV), alginate (exudative) Debridement (necrotic tissue) Treat infection per culture
Related nursing diagnoses

NANDA diagnoses & care plans

Use these direct links to open nursing diagnoses and care-plan support related to Pressure Injury (Pressure Ulcer).

Impaired Skin Integrity Impaired Tissue Integrity Risk for Infection Imbalanced Nutrition Impaired Physical Mobility
Official education links

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Pressure Sores Pressure sores are areas of damaged skin caused by staying in one position for too long. They commonly form where your bones are close to your skin, such as your ankles, back, elbows, heels and hips. You are at risk if you are bedridden, use a wheelchair, or are unable to change your position. Pressure sores can cause serious infections, some of which are life-threatening. They can be a problem for people in nursing… Spinal Cord Injuries Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of your back. It carries signals back and forth between your body and your brain. A spinal cord injury disrupts the signals. Spinal cord injuries usually begin with a blow that fractures (breaks) or dislocates your vertebrae, the bone disks that make up your spine. Most injuries don't cut through your spinal cord. Instead, they cause damage when pieces…