Understanding Decubitus Ulcers: Causes, Stages, and Treatments

1. Chapter 21Assisting With Wound Care

2. DECUBITUS ULCER A BREAKDOWN OF SKIN TISSUE THAT OCCURS WHEN BLOOD FLOW TO AN AREA IS INTERRUPTED. ALSO CALLED A PRESSURE ULCER, PRESSURE SORE, OR BEDSORE

3. PRESSURE ULCERS • Causes • Pressure, friction, and shearing • Breaks in the skin • Poor circulation to an area • Moisture • Dry skin • Irritation by urine and feces • Age • Friction scrapes the skin.

4. CAUSE OF PRESSURE SORES • LYING OR SITTING TOO LONG IN ONE POSITION – CAUSES PRESSURE OVER BONY PROMINENCES • WRINKLES IN CLOTHING OR BED LINEN • POOR NUTRITION • SHEARING – WHEN THE SKIN STICKS TO THE SURFACE AND THE DEEPER TISSUE MOVE DOWNWARD (WHEN THE PERSON SLIDES DOWN IN BED)

5. Signs of pressure ulcers • The first sign is pale skin or a reddened area. • Stages of pressure ulcers • Stage 1 • The skin is red. The color does not return to normal when the skin is relieved of pressure. The skin is intact. • Stage 2 • The skin cracks, blisters, or peels. There may be a shallow crater. • Stage 3 • The skin is gone. Underlying tissues are exposed. The exposed tissue is damaged. There may be drainage from the area. • Stage 4 • Muscle and bone are exposed and damaged. Drainage is likely.

6. STAGE 1 DECUBITUS ULCER IN STAGE 1 THE SKIN IS RED AND MAY BE WARM TO THE TOUCH. THE COLOR DOES NOT RETURN TO NORMAL WHEN THE SKIN IS RELIEVED OF PRESSURE ON DARK COLORED SKIN THE AREA MAY APPEAR DARK BLUE OR PURPLISH

7. TREATMENT OF STAGE 1 ULCERS • GENTLY MASSAGE OUTSIDE OF THE REDDENED AREA • KEEP AREA AROUND THE BREAKDOWN CLEAN AND DRY • RELIEVE ALL PRESSURE OVER THE AFFECTED AREA • ENCOURAGE NUTRITIOUS DIET AND ADEQUATE FLUIDS • NURSE MAY APPLY A PROTECTIVE COVERING

8. STAGE 2 DECUBITUS ULCER IN STAGE 2 THE SKIN CRACKS, BLISTERS, OR PEELS. DESTRUCTION OF THE EPIDERMIS AND PARTIAL DESTRUCTION OF THE DERMIS MAY LOOK LIKE AN ABRASION, BLISTER, OR SHALLOW CRATER

9. TREATMENT OF STAGE 2 ULCER • REMOVE THE PRESSURE • GENTLY MASSAGE AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE AFFECTED AREA • MAKE SURE YOU NOTIFY THE NURSE

10. STAGE 3 DECUBITUS ULCER IN STAGE 3 THE LAYERS OF SKIN HAVE BEEN DESTROYED AND A DEEP CRATER HAS FORMED. YOU MAY SEE MUSCLES AND TENDONS.

11. TREATMENT OF STAGE 3 ULCERS • ASSIST IN KEEPING THE AREA AFFECTED CLEAN • ASSIST WITH DRESSING CHANGES • MAY REQUIRE SURGICAL TREATMENT • ASSIST WITH THE USE OF PRESSURE - RELIEVING DEVICES ( SPECIALTY MATTRESS, BED, OR CUSHIONS )

12. STAGE 4 DECUBITUS ULCER A STAGE 4 ULCER HAS DEEP TISSUE INVOLVEMENT EXPOSING MUSCLE AND BONE THERE MAY BE TUNNELING OF THE WOUND

13. TREATMENT OF STAGE 4 ULCER • ASSIST WITH DRESSING CHANGES • MAY REQUIRE SURGICAL TREATMENT

14. SKIN TEARS • Skin tears are caused by: • Friction and shearing • Pulling on the skin • Pressure on the skin • Tell the nurse at once if you cause or find a skin tear.

15. To prevent skin tears: • Keep the person’s and your fingernails short and smoothly filed • Do not wear rings or bracelets • Follow the care plan • Follow safety rules to lift, move, position, transfer, bathe, and dress the person • Prevent shearing and friction • Use an assist device to move the person in bed

16. CIRCULATORY ULCERS • Poor circulation can lead to: • Pain • Open wounds • Swelling of tissues (edema) • Infection and gangrene • Gangrene is a condition in which tissue dies.

17. Stasis ulcers (venous ulcers) • The heels and inner aspect of the ankles are common sites. • Arterial ulcers • Are found: • Between the toes • On top of the toes • On the outer side of the ankles • On the heels for persons on bedrest • These ulcers can occur from shoes that fit poorly.

18. Prevention and treatment • Follow the person’s care plan. • Elastic stockings and elastic bandages promote circulation. • Applying elastic stockings (NNAAP)* • Applying elastic bandages*

19. DRESSINGS • Wound dressings: • Protect wounds from injury and microbes • Absorb drainage • Remove dead tissue • Promote comfort • Provide a moist environment for wound healing

20. Securing dressings • Dressings are secured and held in place by: • Adhesive tape • Paper and plastic tape • Elastic tape • Montgomery ties • Binders

21. Applying dry non-sterile dressings* • Meet fluid and elimination needs before you begin. • Collect needed equipment and supplies. • Control your nonverbal communication. • Remove dressings so the person cannot see the soiled side. • Do not force the person to look at the wound. • Remove tape by pulling it toward the wound. • Remove dressings gently. • Report and record your observations.

22. BINDERS • Binders promote healing by: • Supporting wounds and holding dressings in place • Reducing or preventing swelling • Promoting comfort • Preventing injury • Types of binders • Straight abdominal binders • Breast binders • T-binders

23. HEAT AND COLD APPLICATIONS • Heat and cold applications • Promote healing and comfort • Reduce tissue swelling • Heat applications • Heat applications are often used: • For musculoskeletal injuries or problems • To relieve pain, relax muscles, and decrease joint stiffness • To promote healing and reduce tissue swelling • High temperatures can cause burns.

24. Persons at risk for complications are: • Older and fair-skinned people • Persons with problems sensing heat or pain • Persons with dementia • Persons with metal implants • Moist and dry heat applications.

25. Cold applications • Reduce pain • Prevent swelling • Decrease circulation and bleeding • Complications include pain, burns, and blisters. • Persons at risk for complications include: • Older and fair-skinned persons • Persons with mental or sensory impairments • Moist and Dry cold applications