Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Mouse Model of Pressure Ulcers After Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: March 9, 2019
Pressure Ulcers in the Intensive Care Unit: An Analysis of Skin Barrier Risk Factors
Minjuan He1, Amao Tang, Xuedi Ge
1Minjuan He, BS, is Chief Nurse, Department of Orthopedics; Amao Tang, MS, is a Nurse, and Xuedi Ge, BS, is Chief Head Nurse, Department of Nursing; and Jie Zheng, MD, is Associate Chief Physician, Department of Orthopedics, People's Liberation Army Hospital No. 117, Hangzhou, China.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to determine whether skin barrier factors were associated with the common complication of pressure ulcers (PrUs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. It is unclear whether skin barrier factors influence the development of PrUs.
Patient Population:
The sample was composed of 102 ICU patients (54 men, 48 women). The patients ranged in age from 23 to 88 years, with a mean age of 55.7 (SD, 19.1) years.
Methods:
Demographic variables and the score for the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation IV were recorded on admission. The Braden Scale assessment and measurements of the skin barrier factors were performed daily. Standard care for the prevention of PrUs was strictly administered, and PrUs that developed were evaluated according to the recommendations of the US National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel 2007 (Note: The authors used the 2007 recommendations at the time of their study.). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.
Results:
The mean score for the Braden Scale was 11.2, and the incidence of PrUs was 31.4%. Lower moisture content of the stratum corneum and higher skin surface pH at the lower sacrum and hip were risk factors for PrUs, whereas scapular and heel skin barrier factors were not.
Conclusion:
Nursing strategies aimed at preventing PrUs should place added emphasis on the lower sacral and hip regions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Peripheral Artery Disease IV: Nursing Management
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease II: Pathophysiology
Damaging agents such as Helicobacter pylori, gastric acid, pepsin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can weaken the mucosal defense, allowing hydrogen ions to infiltrate back and harm epithelial cells.
01:24Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Mucosal Defense Factors