Pressure Injury Prevention and Assessment

What is the primary goal for a patient at risk for pressure injuries?

Heat can cause the skin to become cyanotic.

What should be inspected in pressure areas during skin assessment?

The patient with pressure injuries may experience increased risk for __________.

Match the following terms with their definitions:

What type of lighting is preferable when conducting a skin assessment?

What effect can excessive heat have on the skin during an assessment?

Which response should be expected when palpating healthy pressure areas?

What could cause the skin to appear cyanotic during an assessment?

What is an incorrect practice when preparing a room for a skin assessment?

Pressure Injury Prevention

Preventing pressure injuries is essential for patients at risk.
Patients with pressure injuries face impaired skin integrity, increased infection risk, pain, and mobility limitations.
Pressure injuries can complicate treatment for other health issues, increase healthcare costs, and negatively impact quality of life.

Pressure Injury Assessment

Adequate lighting is crucial during skin assessments.
Natural or fluorescent lighting is preferred over incandescent lighting to avoid a transilluminating effect.
Maintain a comfortable room temperature to prevent skin flushing (heat) or blanching/cyanosis (cold).
Inspect pressure areas for discoloration, indicating potential impaired blood circulation.
Pressure areas should exhibit brisk capillary refill or blanching when palpated with a finger or thumb.

Skin Assessment Lighting

Natural or fluorescent lighting is best for skin assessments.
Incandescent lighting can distort the skin's appearance.

Skin Assessment Temperature

The room should be a comfortable temperature.
Excessive heat can cause the skin to flush.
Cold temperatures can make the skin appear pale or bluish.

Skin Assessment: Pressure Areas

Inspect pressure areas for discoloration, which indicates impaired blood circulation.
Pressure areas should exhibit brisk capillary refill or blanching when gently palpated.

This quiz covers the essential aspects of preventing and assessing pressure injuries, which are critical for patient care. It highlights the importance of adequate lighting and comfortable temperatures during skin assessments, as well as signs to look for that indicate impaired skin integrity. Understanding these factors is vital for improving patient outcomes and minimizing healthcare costs.