Assessing risk and preventing pressure ulcers in patients with cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for pressure ulcers that may place the patient with cancer at higher risk. The role of nursing to provide pressure ulcer preventive measures will be discussed.

DATA SOURCES: Current research and published literature

CONCLUSION

Research suggests that comprehensive prevention programs are effective in reducing pressure ulcer incidence rates and can be cost-effective. Comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention guidelines include risk assessment, skin care, offloading, and nutrition. Immobility places patients with cancer at greater risk.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses are at the forefront of predicting patients at risk for pressure ulcers and working with the multidisciplinary team to implement a pressure ulcer preventive program. There remains a dearth of research related to pressure ulcers and cancer. Research in this area is strongly suggested.