Question

J.A is a 62-year-old female who is bedridden following a severe closed head injury. The family is concerned about the development of pressure injury because they noticed a reddened area on J.A’s heel.

1. Describe the risk factors for development of a pressure ulcer.
2. Explain the role that nutrition plays in skin health and wound healing.
3. What are the best practices when caring for a preventing a pressure ulcer? Please be sure to read Chart 25-1 on pg. 449 titled “Preventing Pressure Injuries”.
4. Describe the interprofessional care needed for patients with a pressure ulcer.

Answer 1

Risk factors for pressure ulcer:
risk factors for pressure ulcers include immobility due to chronic illness and injuries, neurological disorder, dehydration and poor nutrition, medical conditions that limit their ability to move.
Nutrition requirement:
Nutrition meets the energy for the patient that prevents depletion and the use of fats and protein in the body. hydration is important to preserve and repair skin integrity. It improves blood flow to wound tissues and prevent pressure ulcer and promote wound healing.
Pressure ulcer prevention:
Best practice for preventing pressure ulcer include checking the patient skin area daily where it causes pressure. look for redness signs of discoloration, keep the skin moisture and never keep the skin too dry and try moist. provide massage with moisturizer for increasing blood supply and prevent dryness. change the position often to avoid pressure in a particular area.
Interprofessional care:
An interprofessional approach with best practice and shared knowledge and skills is important for treating pressure ulcers. The interprofessional care team includes physicians, clinical nurse educators, registered nurses, unit managers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists they play various roles in wound care. their collaborative practice with the decision-making process meets the needs of the patient. Nurse daily wound care with clinical nurse educator education for them for practicing wound care provide best practice, occupational therapist recommendation for pressure relive mattress, positioning device, wheelchair specialization will be helpful, dietitian calculation for special nutrition and supplement, physician and pharmacist medication reconciliation on admission and its changes in the patient stay and antibiotic for treating pressure ulcer, dressing help for the patient, unit manager responsible for overall quality care and available resources and supplies and adequate staffing important to meet the care for patient with pressure ulcer.