PRESSURE ULCERS INTERVENTIONS2 Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores are injuries to the skin and the tissue beneath caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. Pressure ulcers commonly occur on the skin covering bony sections of the body like heels, hips, ankle, and tailbone( Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2019). Individuals at the most risk of bedsores are the ones with a medical condition limiting their ability to adjust positions. As much as bedsores grow quickly, the sores are easy to heal through treatment. Several steps can be taken by nurses to help treating and preventing pressure ulcers. One of the interventions that nurses, as well as patients, can apply is shifting the body weight frequently. Patients on a wheelchair need to have their weight moved around after every 15 minutes. Nurses need to assist patients on wheelchairs as well as the ones who are bedridden to reposition after every hour(A.D.A.M. Inc, 2019). Also,the patients should use mattress and cushions that relieve pressure. Nurses should select special pillows and mattress that assist in ensuring the patient's body is well- positioned. They should avoid cushioning that can focus pressure on surrounding tissue such as doughnut cushions. Nurses and patients alike also need to consider using a specialty wheelchair. These are unique wheelchairs that allow users to tilt them, relieving pressure. In addition, the nurses need to look into applying beds that will enable the elevation to be adjusted. Beds that can be elevated at the head if raised at about thirty degrees assist in preventing shearing. Doing so will help in minimizing the development of the bedsores.
PRESSURE ULCERS INTERVENTIONS3 References Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2019.Bedsores (Pressure ulcers). [Online] Available at:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bed-sores/symptoms-causes/syc- 20355893 [Accessed 09 May 2019]. A.D.A.M. Inc, 2019. [Online] Available at:https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000740.htm [Accessed 9 May 2019].