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F. Regarding Decubitus Ulcers, answer the following: List the following 4 factor

ID: 3506356 • Letter: F

Question

F. Regarding Decubitus Ulcers, answer the following: List the following 4 factors causing decubiti in order of occurrence (all or none for 2 pts) Hypoxia, Necrosis, Blood Vessel Compression, Pressure over Bony Area What does hypoxia mean? Using anatomical terminology, list 3 specific locations on the body at risk for their formation List 4 different risk factors for decubiti formation with one example/explanation for each factor. State 2 ways to prevent these ulcers: Which stage involves cell death in the epidermis and dermis? What do peritonitis, pleurisy and pericarditis all have in common? In your explanation include the meaning of each term and list all the membranes involved. Answer completely! 8 pts. Why is pain involved? 3 pts B.

Explanation / Answer

The following factors are responsible for causing the Decubitus ulcers:-

Decubitis are ulcer or known as bedsores which occurs on people who have been confined to bed for prolonged time for extended period of time. The bedsores start to form when the person’s body presses the skin against bed surface. The factors that cause it in sequential order are:-

Pressure over bony area

Blood vessel compression

Hypoxia

Necrosis

It starts with the area where the bed sores occurred to be pressed against hard or bony surface. Due to no movement and hard pressing of the area, the blood vessels tend to get damaged due to constant compression. This temporary cuts off the skin area to supply of blood injuring the skin cells and causes a condition of hypoxia due to lack of oxygen. When there is prolonged hypoxia due to no blood circulation, the cells tend to die due to injury through the process of necrosis.

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Hypoxia – It is a condition that occurs in the body due to lack or inadequate supply of oxygen at the tissue level. It can affect the whole of the body or can be localized at a particular part or tissue. It is a situation when a tissue or body is starved of supply of oxygen and it might lead to injury of the body. It can be fatal due to lack of oxygen leading to massive cell death.

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Three body parts that are at risk of formation of Decubitis Ulcers:-

The ulcers are most likely to be formed that have bones and constant pressure is applied due to immobility.

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4 risk factors associated with Decubitis ulcers:-

Poor immobility – The pressure ulcers are most commonly observed in those people who are bedridden or are not able to move independently. It is very predominant in old patients who are not able to move. It occurs due to constant pressure application.

Reduced blood flow – If the blood flow is reduced or compromised to a particular area or tissue, it is more prone for formation of bed sores.

Poor nutrition – it is often found that poor nutritional status is another cause pressure ulcers. People with poor nutrition are more prone to pressure ulcers.

Age – Old age is one of the most prominent causes due to weak body and inability of people to move or change their position.

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Two ways to prevent the ulcers:-

a) Pressure redistribution – The constant pressure application is the reason for the formation of bedsores. With constant redistribution of pressure to different parts of the body can help in getting rid of the bedsores. It is one of the best ways to prevent it.

b) Use of support surface – There are commercial support surfaces available like high density foam mattress or liquid mattress which helps in preventing the formation of the ulcers. They help in reducing pressure on single part of the body.

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Necrosis – this is stage which leads to the cell death in dermis and epidermis. It leads to premature death of the cells due to failure of the blood supply.