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Pressure Ulcer

Ramanpreet Grewal, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Breakdown in a localized area of skin or underlying tissue, primarily caused by prolonged pressure and/or shear

  • Usually over a bony prominence where the skin is in proximity with the ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Risk factors

  • Nutritional assessment

  • Pain assessment

  • Date of ulcer diagnosis

  • Treatment course

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Full skin examination on initial contact and repeatedly throughout visits

  • Assess lo...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Comprehensive initial assessment of the patient

  • Pressure reduction/redistribution (2)[A]

  • Nutritional support (e.g., protein-containing supplements) (3)[B]

  • Wound assessment and...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Wound assessment: Regularly assess the pressure ulcer for progress and changes.

  • Wound measurement: Periodically measure the ulcer's dimensions to track healing and...

REFERENCES

1
 Haesler E, ed. Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Osborne Park, Western Australia: Cambridge Media; 2014.
2
Bergstrom N, Horn SD, Rapp MP, et al. Turn...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Pieper B, ed. Pressure Ulcers: Prevalence, Incidence, and Implications for the Future. Washington, DC: NPUAP; 2012.

  • Qaseem A, Humphrey LL, Forciea MA,...

CODES

ICD10

L89.95 Pressure ulcer of unspecified site, unstageable 
L89.91 Pressure ulcer of unspecified site, stage 1 
L89.92 Pressure ulcer of unspecified site, stage 2 
L89.93 Pressure ulcer of unspeci...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Create assessment and prevention protocols for all patients.

  • Identify risk factors, reduce/redistribute pressure, maximize nutrition, regular skin checks, and assess and treat wounds ap...

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