Undertake Agreed Pressure Area Care.

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Undertake Agreed Pressure Area Care. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the skin in relation to skin breakdown and the development of pressure sores. The skin consists of the epidermis or first skin layer and the dermis or second skin layer, these cover the subcutaneous fat, muscle and bone. When dealing with pressure sores there are 4 stages. In stage one the epidermis begins to die as lack blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients is cut off. Sitting or lying in the same position for long periods of time can start the process of skin tissue breakdown. The skin may appear red or discoloured and will not go away after half an hour of the pressure being relieved. It should heal if the pressure is kept off the area for a few days. In stage two the epidermis will be broken and there will be a shallow wound or sore. It may weep or seem dry. In stage three the wound goes through the dermis into the fat and muscle layer, the wound would be deeper than stage two. In stage four the wound reaches through the muscle and sometimes as far as the bone. There will be little or no pain in stage four as tissue is destroyed. Identify pressure sites of the body. Pressure sores are more likely in people who do not move often enough, this could be in bed or a wheelchair. When someone spends a lot of time in bed they are prone to getting sores on the back of their head, ears, shoulders, elbows, sacrum (or base of spine) and heels. When someone spends a lot of time in a wheelchair they can be prone to getting sores all along the spine, the sacrum, backs of the knee and their heels and toes. Pressure sores can also arise where the skin regularly rubs against another surface, this could be another area of skin i.e. feet rubbing against each other. Describe how incorrect handling and moving techniques can damage the skin. When using moving and

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