Which statement best describes when you should inspect a resident's skin for pressure injuries?

Which statement best describes when you should inspect a resident's skin for pressure injuries?

• A. During every transfer and at least once per shift; priority areas include heels, sacrum, greater trochanters, elbows, and ears.
• B. Only during patient complaints.
• C. Twice a week.
• D. Only after injuries.

Answer: (A)

Regular, proactive skin checks are essential for preventing pressure injuries. Inspecting the resident’s skin during every transfer and at least once per shift ensures you examine skin when it’s most at risk from pressure, friction, and moisture. The priority areas—heels, sacrum, greater trochanters, elbows, and ears—lie over bony prominences that take the most pressure when lying or sitting, so they’re where injuries typically start. As you assess, look for early signs such as a reddened area that does not blanch (in lighter skin) or new warmth, coolness, tenderness, or slight skin breakdown. Detecting these early signs allows quick interventions—repositioning, using support surfaces, keeping skin clean and dry, and documenting changes—before a full injury develops. Relying on patient complaints or inspecting only a couple of times a week misses the opportunity to prevent harm. Waiting until an injury has occurred is not acceptable for prevention.

Regular, proactive skin checks are essential for preventing pressure injuries. Inspecting the resident’s skin during every transfer and at least once per shift ensures you examine skin when it’s most at risk from pressure, friction, and moisture. The priority areas—heels, sacrum, greater trochanters, elbows, and ears—lie over bony prominences that take the most pressure when lying or sitting, so they’re where injuries typically start. As you assess, look for early signs such as a reddened area that does not blanch (in lighter skin) or new warmth, coolness, tenderness, or slight skin breakdown. Detecting these early signs allows quick interventions—repositioning, using support surfaces, keeping skin clean and dry, and documenting changes—before a full injury develops. Relying on patient complaints or inspecting only a couple of times a week misses the opportunity to prevent harm. Waiting until an injury has occurred is not acceptable for prevention.