Identify three major risk factors for pressure injuries in hospitalized patients.

Identify three major risk factors for pressure injuries in hospitalized patients.

• A. Immobility, incontinence/moisture, poor nutrition/hydration.
• B. Friction, sensory impairment, and obesity.
• C. Hyperglycemia, infection, dehydration.
• D. Excessive movement, dry skin, good nutrition.

Answer: (A)

When tissue is squeezed for a prolonged period, blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues can be cut off, leading to cell injury and eventual breakdown. In hospitalized patients, three major risk factors consistently raise this risk. Immobility means the patient cannot frequently shift weight or reposition themselves. This keeps pressure over bony areas like the sacrum, heels, and hips, causing localized ischemia. Without relief from pressure, tiny blood vessels are compressed, nutrients can’t reach the skin, and tissue begins to die. Moisture from incontinence or persistent sweating weakens the skin’s protective barrier. The skin becomes more susceptible to injury and maceration, and moisture also increases friction and shear during movement, accelerating breakdown at vulnerable spots. Poor nutrition and hydration hinder the body's ability to maintain and repair tissue. Inadequate protein, calories, and micronutrients reduce collagen formation, decrease skin integrity, and slow healing, so once tissue injury starts, it’s harder for the skin to recover. Other factors like friction or sensory impairment can contribute, but immobility, moisture-related skin vulnerability, and insufficient nutrition/hydration form the strongest, most consistent predictors of pressure injuries in the hospital setting.

When tissue is squeezed for a prolonged period, blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues can be cut off, leading to cell injury and eventual breakdown. In hospitalized patients, three major risk factors consistently raise this risk.

Immobility means the patient cannot frequently shift weight or reposition themselves. This keeps pressure over bony areas like the sacrum, heels, and hips, causing localized ischemia. Without relief from pressure, tiny blood vessels are compressed, nutrients can’t reach the skin, and tissue begins to die.

Moisture from incontinence or persistent sweating weakens the skin’s protective barrier. The skin becomes more susceptible to injury and maceration, and moisture also increases friction and shear during movement, accelerating breakdown at vulnerable spots.

Poor nutrition and hydration hinder the body's ability to maintain and repair tissue. Inadequate protein, calories, and micronutrients reduce collagen formation, decrease skin integrity, and slow healing, so once tissue injury starts, it’s harder for the skin to recover.

Other factors like friction or sensory impairment can contribute, but immobility, moisture-related skin vulnerability, and insufficient nutrition/hydration form the strongest, most consistent predictors of pressure injuries in the hospital setting.