dermatologic disorders
Pressure Injuries
Diagnosis of Pressure Injuries
Clinical evaluation Nutritional assessment Diagnosis of pressure injury is based on clinical evaluation. A pressure injury is typically identified by its characteristic appearance and by its location over a bony prominence. The sacrum is the most common location, followed by the heels. Injuries caused by arterial and venous insufficiency or diabetic neuropathy may mimic pressure injuries, particularly on the lower extremities, and can also be worsened by the same forces that cause or worsen pressure injuries. (PUSH), designed as a companion to the Staging systems , has been adopted by many institutions. Routine wound culture is not recommended because all pressure injuries are heavily colonized by bacteria. and prealbumin are not reliable by themselves in determining nutritional status ( Diagnosis reference ). Undernutrition requires further Nonhealing wounds may be due to inadequate treatment but should raise suspicion of a complication. Tenderness, erythema of surrounding skin, exudate, or foul odor suggests an underlying infection. Fever and leukocytosis should raise suspicion of Cellulitis , 1.Bharadwaj S, Ginoya S, Tandon P, et al: Malnutrition: Laboratory markers vs nutritional assessment.Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf)4(4):272–280, 2016. doi: 10.1093/gastro/gow013 