Grade 3 Decubitus Ulcer

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Describe the healing process of a grade 3 decubitus ulcer. Discuss how aging may affect the process of healing. Decubitus ulcers are also known as pressure sores or bedsores, and can be difficult to define. The most accurate definition of a decubitus ulcer is the “breakdown of skin, usually over a bony prominence, due to compromised blood flow caused by pressure” (National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, 1989). Decubitus ulcers are a common condition affecting the elderly as aging, the process of getting old, causes the skin to change dramatically (Landi et al, 2007). This essay will discuss how the skin would heal from a decubitus ulcer and how aging may affect this process. The integumentary system, or the skin, consists of two components: the cutaneous membrane and the accessory structures (Martini, Nath and Bartholomew, 2012). The epidermis and the dermis make up the cutaneous membrane and hair and nails are examples of accessory structures. Decubitus ulcers primarily affect the cutaneous membrane, causing breakdown of the epidermis due to factors such as pressure, shear, friction, ischemia and moisture (Campbell and Parish, 2010). The most recognised cause of a decubitus ulcer is pressure – when the external pressure on the cutaneous membrane exceeds the capillary pressure ischemia is caused, which finally results in necrosis (Shridharani et al, 2013). A staging system was developed by the National Pressure Sore Advisory Panel Consensus Development Conference in 2007, outlining five stages of decubitus ulcer (Shridharani et al, 2013). Stage I is categorised by erythema of the skin that is not blanchable but the skin is still intact. Stage II involves skin damage via ulceration or blistering, that indicate necrosis deeper within the skin. Stage III is full-thickness skin damage that extends as far as muscle but no damage is obvious here. This stage is indicated

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