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Table 1 Frequency distribution of nurses’ knowledge score towards pressure ulcer prevention practice in public hospitals in central zone Tigray 2018 (N = 122)

From: Practice on pressure ulcer prevention among nurses in selected public hospitals, Tigray, Ethiopia

Nurses’ knowledge score of pressure ulcer prevention

Variables

Correct

Incorrect

N

%

N

%

Risk factors for PU development

 Risk factors for development of pressure ulcers are immobility, incontinence, impaired nutrition, and altered level of consciousness

113

92.6

9

7.4

 Hot water and soap may dry the skin and increase the risk for pressure ulcers

61

50.0

61

50.0

 It is important to massage bony prominences

70

57.4

52

35.2

Risk assessment for PU development

 All hospitalized individuals at risk for pressure ulcers should have a systematic skin inspection at least daily and those in long-term care at least once a week

82

67.2

40

32.8

 The first sign of pressure ulcer development is open sore

54

44.3

68

55.7

 All individuals should be assessed on admission to a hospital for risk of pressure ulcer development

79

64.8

43

35.3

 A turning schedule should be written and placed at the bedside

83

68.0

39

31.9

 A Braden scale is risk assessment tool used for assessing pressure ulcer

77

63.1

45

36.8

Skin care to prevent PU

 Patient skin should be clean and dry to prevent risk of pressure ulcer development

100

82.0

22

18.0

 Persons confined to bed should be repositioned every 3 h

71

58.2

51

40.8

 Heel ulcer is prevented by putting pillow under the patient’s leg

91

74.6

31

25.4

 A low-humidity environment may predispose a person to pressure ulcers

65

53.3

57

46.7

 For persons who have incontinence, skin cleaning should occur at the time of soiling and at routine intervals

84

68.9

38

31.2

Nutrition to maintain healthy skin

 Adequate dietary intake of protein and calories should be maintained during illness

98

80.3

24

19.7

 Vitamin C and E are important to maintain skin integrity

97

79.5

25

20.5

 Serum albumin test is the appropriate laboratory test for nutritional assessment of pressure ulcer patient

72

59.0

50

41.0

Mechanical loading management

 The head of the bed should be maintained at the lowest degree of elevation no higher than a 30° angle consistent with medical conditions

84

68.9

38

31.2

 A person who cannot move him or herself should be repositioned every 2 h while sitting in a chair.

93

76.2

29

23.8

 Friction may occur when moving a person up in bed

84

68.9

38

31.2

Educational program

 Educational programs may reduce the incidence of PUs

97

79.5

25

20.5