Pressure ulcer
Pressure Ulcer
A Pressure Ulcer, also known as a Decubitus Ulcer or Bedsores, is a type of injury that affects areas of the skin and underlying tissue. It is caused by prolonged pressure on the skin, particularly on bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips, and tailbone.
Pronunciation
Pressure Ulcer: /ˈprɛʃər ˈʌlsər/
Etymology
The term "Pressure Ulcer" is derived from the Latin words "pressura" meaning "pressure", and "ulcus" meaning "sore".
Definition
A Pressure Ulcer is a localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear and/or friction.
Stages
Pressure Ulcers are classified into four stages based on their severity:
- Stage I: Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin
- Stage II: Partial-thickness skin loss or blister
- Stage III: Full-thickness skin loss (fat visible)
- Stage IV: Full-thickness skin and tissue loss (muscle, bone or tendon visible)
Related Terms
- Shear: A force that causes layers of skin to slide over one another
- Friction: The resistance to motion of one object moving relative to another
- Bony Prominence: Areas of the body where the bone is close to the skin surface
- Erythema: Redness of the skin caused by increased blood flow
Prevention
Prevention of Pressure Ulcers involves regular skin assessments, maintaining good skin hygiene, proper nutrition, and frequent repositioning of the individual.
Treatment
Treatment of Pressure Ulcers includes relieving pressure, caring for the wounds, controlling pain, preventing infection, and maintaining good nutrition.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pressure ulcer
- Wikipedia's article - Pressure ulcer
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski