Which areas are at high risk for pressure injuries?

Which areas are at high risk for pressure injuries?

• A. Elbows and heels.
• B. Knees and ankles.
• C. Back and shoulders.
• D. Ears and nose.

Answer: (A)

Prolonged pressure over a surface reduces blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues, so areas where bone is close to the skin and there is little padding are most prone to injury. Heels and elbows fit this pattern perfectly: the heel has minimal soft tissue cushioning and often bears the body's weight against the bed for long periods, especially in immobile patients. The elbow (the olecranon) is another bony prominence with limited tissue protection, and it commonly presses against a hard surface when a patient lies on their side or rests the arm on a bed or chair. While knees, ankles, back, shoulders, ears, and nose can also develop pressure injuries in certain positions or with devices, they are not as consistently high-risk across typical care scenarios as the combination of heels and elbows.

Prolonged pressure over a surface reduces blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues, so areas where bone is close to the skin and there is little padding are most prone to injury. Heels and elbows fit this pattern perfectly: the heel has minimal soft tissue cushioning and often bears the body's weight against the bed for long periods, especially in immobile patients. The elbow (the olecranon) is another bony prominence with limited tissue protection, and it commonly presses against a hard surface when a patient lies on their side or rests the arm on a bed or chair. While knees, ankles, back, shoulders, ears, and nose can also develop pressure injuries in certain positions or with devices, they are not as consistently high-risk across typical care scenarios as the combination of heels and elbows.