Pressure Injuries Overview

Immobility and Pressure Injury

• Immobility is a limitation in movement caused by conditions like paralysis, weakness, or pain.
• Immobility prevents individuals from changing positions to relieve pressure, increasing the risk of pressure injuries.

Inadequate Nutrition and Pressure Injuries

• Prolonged inadequate nutrition leads to weight loss, muscle atrophy, and loss of subcutaneous tissue.
• This reduction in padding between skin and bones increases the risk of pressure injury development.
• Specifically, inadequate intake of protein, carbohydrates, fluids, zinc, and vitamin C contributes to pressure injuries.

Hypoproteinemia and Edema

• Hypoproteinemia, a low protein level in the blood, can be caused by insufficient intake or abnormal loss.
• It predisposes individuals to dependent edema, which affects skin elasticity and resilience.
• Edema slows oxygen diffusion to cells and metabolite removal, further increasing the risk of pressure injury.

Immobility and Pressure Injuries

• Immobility is a limitation in independent, purposeful movement.
• Inability to move independently can increase pressure on the body, making it difficult to relieve discomfort.
• Individuals with paralysis, weakness, pain, or other conditions limiting activity are at risk.

Inadequate Nutrition and Pressure Injuries

• Prolonged inadequate nutrition leads to weight loss, muscle atrophy, and loss of subcutaneous tissue.
• Reduced padding between skin and bones increases the risk of pressure injuries.
• Deficiencies in protein, carbohydrates, fluids, zinc, and vitamin C contribute to pressure injury formation.
• Hypoproteinemia, caused by inadequate intake or abnormal loss, contributes to dependent edema.
• Edema reduces skin elasticity and vitality, making it more prone to injury.
• Edema slows oxygen diffusion to tissues and metabolite removal, further increasing injury risk.

Immobility

• Immobility involves limited and controlled independent movement.
• Individuals normally move to alleviate discomfort from pressure.
• Healthy individuals rarely exceed pressure tolerance.
• Impairment like paralysis can diminish independent position changes, hindering pressure relief.

Inadequate Nutrition

• Prolonged inadequate nutrition leads to weight loss, muscle wasting, and subcutaneous tissue loss.
• Reduced padding between skin and bones increases pressure injury risk.
• Protein, carbohydrates, fluids, zinc, and vitamin C deficiencies contribute to pressure injury development.
• Hypoproteinemia (low protein content in the blood) causes dependent edema.
• Edema compromises skin elasticity, resilience, and vitality, increasing injury susceptibility.
• Edema disrupts oxygen diffusion to cells and metabolite removal, hindering tissue health.

Incontinence and Skin Breakdown

• Moisture from incontinence softens tissues, leading to maceration and increased susceptibility to skin erosion and injury.
• Digestive enzymes in feces, gastric tube drainage, and urea in urine contribute to skin excoriation, or loss of the superficial layers of the skin.
• Accumulated secretions can irritate the skin, harbor microorganisms, and increase the risk of skin breakdown and infection.

Decreased Mental Status and Pressure Injuries

• Individuals with reduced awareness, unconsciousness, heavy sedation, or dementia are at greater risk for pressure injuries.
• This is because they may not be able to recognize and respond to pain associated with prolonged pressure.

This quiz explores the factors contributing to pressure injuries, focusing on immobility, inadequate nutrition, and hypoproteinemia. Learn how these elements interact to increase the risk of injury and the importance of proper care. Test your understanding of these critical health issues.