The Role of Nurses in Preventing Pressure Ulcers in Intensive Care Patients
Chukwuka-David, Blessing (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024121837050
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024121837050
Tiivistelmä
Aim: To outline the causes of pressure ulcers in patients undergoing intensive care and the interventions nurses could implement to prevent its development.
Method: The study incorporated descriptive analysis and did a scoping review of nine scientific journals. Jean Watson's Theory of Transpersonal Caring was employed to emphasize the necessity for nurses to provide care for patients and promote the healing process.
Results: The findings were organised into two primary categories: factors contributing to the development of pressure ulcers in ICU patients and effective nursing interventions for preventing pressure ulcer formation in ICU patients. The initial theme outlined two sub-themes: systemic factors such as age, weight loss, incontinence, immobility, hypotension, malnutrition, impaired sensory perception due to sedative use, and impaired tissue perfusion; and local factors including pressure, shear, friction, and duration of stay in the ICU. The study highlighted useful nursing practices, including repositioning, comprehensive skin assessment and inspection, utilization of suitable dressings, enhancement of nutrition, administration of barrier cream, and implementation of pressure redistributing surfaces.
Conclusion: The study showed that ICU patients are at heightened risk for pressure ulcers due to factors such as immobility, sedatives, and inadequate nutrition. Therefore, it is essential to implement strategies including repositioning, application of moisturizing creams on dry skin, comprehensive skin inspections for any lesions, utilization of pressure-relieving surfaces, thorough nutritional assessments, and the application of hydrocolloid or silicone dressings to prevent the development of pressure ulcers in critically ill patients.
Method: The study incorporated descriptive analysis and did a scoping review of nine scientific journals. Jean Watson's Theory of Transpersonal Caring was employed to emphasize the necessity for nurses to provide care for patients and promote the healing process.
Results: The findings were organised into two primary categories: factors contributing to the development of pressure ulcers in ICU patients and effective nursing interventions for preventing pressure ulcer formation in ICU patients. The initial theme outlined two sub-themes: systemic factors such as age, weight loss, incontinence, immobility, hypotension, malnutrition, impaired sensory perception due to sedative use, and impaired tissue perfusion; and local factors including pressure, shear, friction, and duration of stay in the ICU. The study highlighted useful nursing practices, including repositioning, comprehensive skin assessment and inspection, utilization of suitable dressings, enhancement of nutrition, administration of barrier cream, and implementation of pressure redistributing surfaces.
Conclusion: The study showed that ICU patients are at heightened risk for pressure ulcers due to factors such as immobility, sedatives, and inadequate nutrition. Therefore, it is essential to implement strategies including repositioning, application of moisturizing creams on dry skin, comprehensive skin inspections for any lesions, utilization of pressure-relieving surfaces, thorough nutritional assessments, and the application of hydrocolloid or silicone dressings to prevent the development of pressure ulcers in critically ill patients.