Pressure Ulcers | Evidence Based Nursing Research

Running Head: EVIDENCE BASED NURSING RESEARCH
EVIDENCE BASED NURSING RESEARCH
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
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Introduction:
Pressure ulcers or bedsore among the patients that are bedridden or is not able to move on
their own is common and frequently observed. These pressure ulcers are caused due to the
unrelieved pressure of the patient over the prominences over the bony areas. To reduce the risk
of pressure ulcers among the bedridden patient, several interventions are implied which include,
repositioning of the patient, air mattress and others (Tubaishat et al., 2018). The aim of the
discussion is to evaluate the effectiveness of the repositioning of the patient over the air mattress
in reducing the risk of the pressure ulcers in the bed ridden patient. The discussion includes, the
research problem, significance of the problem and importance of research for the particular topic
in the development of the professional knowledge and the clinical practice. In order to conduct
the research, the relevant literatures are collected with the aid of the search strategy, which is
discussed in the essay. Five relevant articles are collected from PubMed and are summarized.
The essay also includes the discussion, which states about the knowledge or understanding which
is enhanced from the review. By reviewing the five different literature, the understanding about
the research problem is also enhanced which is incorporated in the essay.
Background:
Research problem:
Pressure ulcers or the bedsores are caused due to the extra pressure posed on the bony
prominences of the patient. As the patient is not able to move on their own, the pressure exerts
on the bony areas for the long time, which damages the underlying skin and tissue, causing
pressure ulcers (Mervis & Phillips, 2019). It is not assessed or heals on time; it can turn into deep

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injury associated with swelling, pus formation, pain and can also give rise to life threatening
process such as, joints infection, cancer, cellulitis and sepsis. Hence, the research is conducted to
identify the best intervention among repositioning and air mattress that aid to reduce the risk of
the pressure ulcers
Significance:
Pressure ulcers are frequently observed among the individual who are confined to the
single place whether bed or wheel chair for a longer period of time. The pressure ulcers can
cause the change in the color of the skin, pus in the skin and swelling. The area around the ulcer
turns either cooler or warmer when touched and the areas become tender. The chances of having
pressure ulcer can be reduced by repositioning of the patient (Mervis & Phillips, 2019). The
pressure ulcer is due to excessive pressure on the bony prominences for the longer period of
time, hence the repositioning of the patient at the frequent interval such as, lifting the patient,
shifting weight at the frequent intervals, elevating the bed aid to reduce the risk pressure ulcers.
Other intervention that can be used for pressure ulcers is the application of the air mattress,
which helps in reliving the pressure. With the help of the research, the most effected intervention
out of these two interventions is selected.
Research question:
The research question revolves around the strategies that can be used to reduce the
chance of the pressure ulcers among the bed ridden patients. The two most effective
interventions to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers are the repositioning of the patients and the use
of the air mattress. The research compares the efficiency of both the intervention in reducing the
development of the pressure ulcers (Kusens, 2016).