Decubitus+Ulcers-Pressure+Sores

=__**Decubitus Ulcers/Pressure Sores/Bedsores**__ =

**What?** **﻿**
**﻿**
 * Pressure sores are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue that result from prolonged pressure on the skin.
 * Develop quickly and are difficult to treat.

**Why?**

 * Pressure sores are caused by unrelieved pressure, friction, humidity, shearing forces, temperature, age, continence, and medication.



**Risk Factors**

 * Poor health and weakness
 * Paralysis
 * Bedrest
 * Wheelchair use
 * Recovery after surgery
 * Sedation
 * Coma
 * Smoking
 * Muscle spasms
 * Urinary incontinence
 * Weight loss

**Where?**
**Decubitus ulcers can occur anywhere. Most are found:**


 * Portions over the bony or cartilaginous areas
 * Sacrum
 * Knees
 * Heels
 * Ankle
 * Tailbone
 * Elbows
 * Shoulder & shoulder blade
 * Back of head
 * ﻿Hip
 * Buttocks
 * Ball of foot



** Who? **
Pressure sores are most common in people:
 * with medical conditions that limits their ability to change positions
 * requires them to use a wheel chair
 * confined to bed for prolong period of time

**__2) Ulcer is an open wound:__** epidermis and part of dermis is damaged or lost,ulcer may appear as a shallow, pinkish-red basin-like wound, may rupture fluid filled blister
==== **__3) Ulcer is a deep wound:__** fat is usually exposed, ulcer has crater-like appearance, bottom of wound may have yellowish dead tissue, damage may extend beyond primary woulnd below layers of healthy skin ====

__Removing tissue includes:__

 * ==== surgical debridement: cutting away tissue ====
 * ==== mechinical debridement: using whirlpool water bath ====
 * ==== autolytic debridement: process of recruiting enzymes to break down dead tissues ====
 * ==== enzymatic debridement: use of chemical enzymes ====



__** Interventions that can be used: **__

 * ====pain managment- the use of drugs such as ibuprofen====
 * ====antibiotics====
 * ====healthy diet- increase in calorie and fluid, high protien diet, vitamin C & Zinc====
 * ====muscle spasm relief- use of muscle relaxants====