Pressure Ulcers:

Vocabulary:

1) Blanching: skin turns white as blood flow to the region is restricted.

2) Erythema: abnormal redness of skin/mucous membrane due to capillary blockage.

3) Debridement: the procedure of removing thickened skin/necrotic skin from the wound.

4) Offload: taking off weight & pressure from poor circulated areas of the body.

5) Tunneling: chronic wound that progressed to form open channels/tunnels under the surface of the skin

6) Eschar: dead tissue that forms over healthy skin and when in contact w/ oxygen, turns black & hard.

7) Partial Thickness: not all layers of skin is damaged/affected.

8) Full Thickness: all three layers of the skin is damaged/affected.

9) Slough: yellowish/white material that is composed of dead cells

Risk Factors:

1) Diabetes

2) Paralysis

3) Poor nutrition

4) Advanced age

5) Poor sensation

6) Incontinent of bladder

7) Dementia

8) Incontinent bowel movement

9) Decreased mobility

10) Prolonged bed rest