What Are Nursing Interventions for Pressure Ulcers?
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are areas of the skin where pressure cuts off blood flow and circulation to surrounding skin tissue. The weight from lying in bed or sitting in a wheelchair over several hours without moving causes the ulcers to form. People with decreased sensation or those with an inability to shift their bodies are at high risk for developing the sores. According to the Merck Manual, pressure ulcers begin to form in as little as two hours. The sores rapidly advance and cause severe, deep infectious wounds if left untreated. Nursing interventions and precautions prevent pressure ulcers from occurring.
