Table 2.

Risk factors for pressure ulceration^*

Acute illness—Increased metabolic rate and demand for oxygen compromising tissues

Age—Chronic disease, cerebrovascular accident, impaired nutrition, confined to chair or bed, faecal incontinence, fractured neck of femur

Level of consciousness—Acute or chronic illness, medication (sedatives, analgesics, anaesthetics)

Limited mobility or immobility—Cerebrovascular accident, spinal cord injury (hemiparesis, paraparesis, quadriplegia), spasticity, arthritis, orthopaedic problems (especially fracture neck of femur), patients confined to chair or bed

Sensory impairment—Neuropathies (for example, diabetes), decreased conscious levels, medication, spinal cord injury

Severe chronic or terminal disease—Diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic cardiovascular disease, terminal illness

Vascular disease—Smoking, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, anaemia, anti-hypertensives

Malnutrition or dehydration

History of pressure damage

^*Based on NICE guidelines for prevention of pressure ulcers