Treating Pressure Ulcers and Chronic Wounds

What is the most common type of chronic wound in the hospital or long-term care setting?

• Diabetic ulcers

• Pressure ulcers

• Venous ulcers

• Arterial ulcers

What is the primary cause of injury in a pressure ulcer?

• Infection from bacteria

• Local ischemia due to continuous compression of capillaries

• Allergic reaction to dressings

• Excessive moisture exposure

Explain why pressure ulcers are particularly common in hospital or long-term care settings, using evidence from the provided material.

• Patients in these settings are often immobile, leading to continuous compression of capillaries.

• Hospitals have poor hygiene standards.

• Only elderly patients get pressure ulcers.

• Pressure ulcers are caused by poor nutrition alone.

A patient in a long-term care facility develops a wound due to continuous compression of capillaries. Based on your understanding, what type of wound is this most likely to be, and what is the underlying mechanism?

• Venous ulcer; caused by poor blood return

• Pressure ulcer; caused by local ischemia

• Diabetic ulcer; caused by high blood sugar

• Arterial ulcer; caused by arterial blockage

Why is it important to understand both pressure and shear forces in the context of pressure injuries?

• Only pressure causes tissue damage, not shear.

• Shear forces are more important than pressure in all cases.

• Both pressure and shear contribute to tissue deformation and injury, especially near bony prominences.

• Shear forces only occur when patients are standing.

Based on the diagram and description, how does shear force contribute to tissue injury in patients?

• Shear force only affects the skin surface and not deeper tissues.

• Shear force results from two oppositely directed parallel forces, causing tissue deformation, such as when patients slip down in bed.

• Shear force is not relevant in the development of pressure injuries.

• Shear force increases blood flow to the tissues.

Which of the following is a recommended technique to prevent pressure ulcers in patients who are lying or sitting for extended periods?

• Repositioning the patient frequently

• Applying ice packs to pressure points

• Massaging the skin over bony areas

• Using only standard hospital beds without adjustment

Why is it important to prop a patient at a 30-degree angle when lying in bed?

• To avoid pressure on major pressure points

• To help the patient sleep better

• To improve blood circulation in the arms

• To reduce the risk of falls from the bed

When a patient is admitted to the hospital, what is a key step in preventing pressure ulcers?

• Identifying patients at risk and using appropriate beds/mattresses

• Giving the patient extra blankets

• Encouraging the patient to eat more protein

• Applying topical antibiotics to all patients

A nurse observes that a pressure ulcer appears minor on the surface. What should the nurse consider when planning treatment?

• The ulcer may be worse than it appears from the surface

• The ulcer will heal on its own without intervention

• The ulcer is not a priority for care

• The ulcer only affects the outermost layer of skin