Infection prevention and pressure ulcers

Question 1

What are pressure ulcers

Answer 1

Localised damage to the skin or underlying tissue, over a bony prominence from sustained pressure

Question 2

What are the 4 stages of a pressure ulcer

Answer 2

1 - Non-blanchable erythema
2 - partial thickness
3 - full thickness skin loss
4 - full thickness tissue loss

Question 3

What is a non-blanchable erythema

Answer 3

Stage 1 of a pressure ulcer
Intact skin
Redness

Question 4

What is partial thickness

Answer 4

Stage 2 of a pressure ulcer
Loss of dermis
Shallow open ulcer
Red/pink wound

Question 5

What risk tools are used for pressure ulcers

Answer 5

Waterlow
Braden
Purpose T

Question 6

How to prevent ulcer formation

Answer 6

Check skin
Ask patients
Report unusualness
Pressure should be regularly relieved
Patient should be taught how to move and change own position

Question 7

How should support surfaces be kept

Answer 7

Comfortable
Effective
Economical
Waterproof
Easily maintained

Question 8

What is the acronym for preventing pressure ulcers

Answer 8

SSKIN
Skin inspection
Surface should be correct
Keep moving
Incontinence
Nutrition

Question 9

What are HCAI’s

Answer 9

Healthcare associated infections that occur 48hrs after admission to a healthcare setting which can prolong a patients period of ill health

Question 10

Name 4 causes of disease

Answer 10

Bacteria
Viruses
Parasite
Fungus

Question 11

What is the chain of infection

Answer 11

Infectious agent
Reservoir (where microbe resides)
Site of exit (where microbe leaves a reservoir)
Transmission (method of transfer)
Site of entry (where microbe enters new host and causes infection)
Susceptible host

Question 12

How can the chain of infection be broken

Answer 12

Wearing PPE (masks/goggles/face shields/gloves/aprons)
Isolation (due to resistant organs/respiratory precautions)
Decontamination
Management of linen (follow trusts coding system/linen must be bagged at use)