Determine your patients level of response to stimuli. You may do this by exerting gentle pressure on some part of your patients person. If they are unable to feel any pressure related discomfort, then they may be at risk for developing pressure ulcers. If your patient cannot respond to pain, he or she may develop a wound and not know it until he or she sees it.
Check to see your clients level of mobility. Determine if your patient can change position on his or her own and his preferred position.Do this by asking your patient if he or she can change positions on his own and observe him or her doing this. If your patient is bed ridden, chair fast or mostly immobile, he or she is at risk for pressure ulcer development. Patients need to be able to change position in response to pain and to prevent shearing and friction from breaking their skin.
Check your patients nutritional habits. Ask questions related to your patients pattern of eating to find out if he is eating as he should. Adequate nutrition is necessary for skin integrity. A patient who doesnt consume adequate nutrients is at risk for developing pressure ulcers.
Assess your patients bowel and bladder status. Check to see if your patients is incontinent or continent. Incontinence puts your patient at risk for developing pressure ulcers. Urine contains urea which can break down skin. The moisture content of eliminated contents from the bladder or bowels also puts your patient at risk for pressure ulcers.