a new or established area of skin, or tissue discoloration, or damage which persists after the removal of pressure
an injury caused by constant pressure to the skin and muscle and/or by shearing forces
an injury usually caused by unrelieved pressure that damages the skin and underlying tissue
a sore that results from the death of the skin and its underlying tissue over areas of the body that receive pressure when the patient is sitting or lying still for long periods
A localized area of dead tissue that commonly develops over bony prominences when muscle, fat, and skin layers of tissue are compressed for a prolonged period of time and deprived of oxygen and nutrients. Other common causes of pressure ulcers are friction, the dragging of skin across a surface, and excessive moisture from incontinence. Urinary incontinence can cause the skin to become softened, or mascerated, by the continual presence of unabsorbed urine. Continence status is thus a risk factor for developing pressure ulcers.
A pressure ulcer (also known as a bedsore or pressure sore) occurs when constant pressure prevents oxygen and other nutrients from reaching tissue under the skin. Elderly people, who are less active and are more likely to have fragile skin and poor circulation, are at high risk for pressure ulcers.
