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 |