CASE STUDY PRESSURE ULCER STUDENT
LATEST UPDATED CASE STUDY ALREADY
GRADED A 2024/2025
What major factors increase risk for developing a pressure injury - Advanced age
Immobility
friction, shear
Poor nutrition
Excessive moisture and incontinence
Altered level of consciousness
Poor perfusion
Certain skin infections
Comorbid conditions
Vascular disease
Hx of previous pressure damage
Each health care setting should have a policy that outlines how to assess patients' risk for developing a
pressure injury. What should be included in that assessment? - The Braden Scale is composed of six
subscales that reflect sensory perception, skin moisture, activity, mobility, friction and shear, and
nutritional status.
Five of the sub-scales are rated from one (1) (least favourable) to four (4) (most favourable); friction and
shear sub-scale is rated from one (1) to three (3). A total of 23 points is possible. The lower the score, the
higher the risk for pressure ulcer development
Total score is only a number to guide interventions.
What are the advantages of using a validated risk assessment tool to document her skin condition on
admission - Objectivity
Focus on prevention rather than treatment
Identifying "at risk" population
How often should patients be reassessed for the risk of developing an injury - There is general consensus
from most pressure ulcer clinical guidelines to do a risk assessment on admission, at discharge, and
whenever the patient's clinical condition changes. The appropriate interval for routine reassessment
remains unclear. Studies by Bergstrom and Braden, found that in a skilled nursing facility, 80 percent of
pressure ulcers develop within 2 weeks of admission and 96 percent develop within 3 weeks of
admission. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement has recently recommended that in hospitalized
patients, pressure ulcer risk assessment be done every 24 hours rather than the previous suggestion of
every 48 hours.
Knowing that R.L. is frail, has right-sided weakness, and has a pressure injury, what consultations or
referrals could you initiate? - Wound Care Specialist
Physical Therapist
Dietitian
LATEST UPDATED CASE STUDY ALREADY
GRADED A 2024/2025
What major factors increase risk for developing a pressure injury - Advanced age
Immobility
friction, shear
Poor nutrition
Excessive moisture and incontinence
Altered level of consciousness
Poor perfusion
Certain skin infections
Comorbid conditions
Vascular disease
Hx of previous pressure damage
Each health care setting should have a policy that outlines how to assess patients' risk for developing a
pressure injury. What should be included in that assessment? - The Braden Scale is composed of six
subscales that reflect sensory perception, skin moisture, activity, mobility, friction and shear, and
nutritional status.
Five of the sub-scales are rated from one (1) (least favourable) to four (4) (most favourable); friction and
shear sub-scale is rated from one (1) to three (3). A total of 23 points is possible. The lower the score, the
higher the risk for pressure ulcer development
Total score is only a number to guide interventions.
What are the advantages of using a validated risk assessment tool to document her skin condition on
admission - Objectivity
Focus on prevention rather than treatment
Identifying "at risk" population
How often should patients be reassessed for the risk of developing an injury - There is general consensus
from most pressure ulcer clinical guidelines to do a risk assessment on admission, at discharge, and
whenever the patient's clinical condition changes. The appropriate interval for routine reassessment
remains unclear. Studies by Bergstrom and Braden, found that in a skilled nursing facility, 80 percent of
pressure ulcers develop within 2 weeks of admission and 96 percent develop within 3 weeks of
admission. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement has recently recommended that in hospitalized
patients, pressure ulcer risk assessment be done every 24 hours rather than the previous suggestion of
every 48 hours.
Knowing that R.L. is frail, has right-sided weakness, and has a pressure injury, what consultations or
referrals could you initiate? - Wound Care Specialist
Physical Therapist
Dietitian
