There are a number of extrinsic factors that may contribute to the development of pressure ulcers. In order to prevent pressure ulcers patients who are vulnerable to skin damage and their carers should be equipped with the knowledge they need in order to prevent pressure ulcers as much as possible. Pressure ulcers are caused when direct pressure is placed upon a particular part of the body over a prolonged period of time. Continuous pressure on the body restricts blood supply to the skin; various nutrients and oxygen are contained within the blood supply and this is needed in order to keep the tissue healthy, without continuous blood supply the tissue will damage and will eventually die.1
Extrinsic Factors
Intrinsic Factors
It should be noted that these are not the only factors that may affect the development of a pressure ulcer. There are also many intrinsic factors that play a part.
Read the blog article on who’s at most at risk of developing a pressure ulcer
Bibliography
1) NHS (2014) Pressure Ulcer Causes [online] Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pressure-ulcers/Pages/Causes.aspx [Accessed 15/09/2015]
