Pressure sores Flashcards

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1
Q

Define Pressure Sores

A

Pressure Sores or pressure ulcers are defined as localised injury of the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a bony area
results from prolonged pressure and shear

can be any size-from tiny to massive and necrotic
any while most often on bony emminences, can technically be anywhere, even mucosal areas

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2
Q

Aetiology and risk factors of Pressure Sores

A

Mix of pressure, shear, moisture and friction
Pressure is most important-either large pressure small amount of time, or small pressure, big time

Ischemia is the primary cause of tissue damage, as capillaries aren’t functioning (esp when pressure on bone)-combined with lymph draining (toxin accumulation)
deep tissue is easier damaged by pressure-can be happening before superficial opening

Risk factors:
IMMOBILITY-staying in hospital, surgery, wheelchair
age, reduced mobility, diabetic neuropathy,
sensory problems

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3
Q

Epidemology of Pressure Sores

A

between 5 to 45% of hospital patients develop them during their stay

rarer in children

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4
Q

Signs and Sx of Pressure Sores

A

usually its from seeing skin damage (open ulcer) over bony prominence
around area-nonblanching erythema, purple/marron skin,

anyone of those with tenderness, warmth, pus/exudate-infection

stage I-non blanchable erythema-purple marron with area of pain-skin intact but deep tissue damage
Stage II-patial thickness of skin open-usually small like a cut
Stage III-full thickness-can see fat but not tendon/bone
Stage IV-fulltickness with exposed tendon/muscle/bone

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5
Q

Investigations of Pressure Sores

A

CLINICAL

wound swab-for infections
ESR/WCC/CRP-suggest osteomyelitis if already pressure sore

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