Care by Risk Factors
| Risk Factor |
Preventive Actions |
| Bed or Chair Confinement |
-
Inspect skin at least once a day.
-
Bathe when needed for comfort or cleanliness.
-
Prevent dry skin.
-
For a person in bed:
-
Change position at least every 2 hours.
-
Use a special mattress that contains foam, air, gel, or water.
-
Raise the head of bed as little and for as short a time as possible.
-
For a person in a chair:
-
Change position every hour.
-
Use foam, gel, or air cushion to relieve pressure.
-
Reduce friction by:
-
Lifting rather than dragging when repositioning.
-
Using corn starch on skin.
-
Avoid use of donut-shape cushions.
-
Participate in a rehabilitation program.
|
| Inability to Move |
- Persons confined to chairs should be repositioned every hour if unable to do so themselves.
- For a person in a chair who is able to shift his or her own weight, change position at least every 15 minutes.
- Use pillows or wedges to keep knees or ankles from touching each other.
- When in bed, place pillow under legs from midcalf to ankle to keep heels off the bed.
|
| Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control | - Clean skin as soon as soiled.
- Assess and treat urine leaks.
- If moisture cannot be controlled:
- Use absorbent pads and/or briefs with a quick-drying surface.
- Protect skin with a cream or ointment.
|
| Poor Nutrition | - Eat a balanced diet.
- If a normal diet is not possible, talk to health care provider about nutritional supplements.
|
| Lowered Mental Awareness | Choose preventive actions that apply to the person with lowered mental awareness. For example, if the person is chairbound, refer to the specific preventive actions outlined in Risk Factor 1. |
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