Problem: Describe the primary etiology and pathophysiology of pressure injuries and link this information to the patient in the case study with in-text citation as give the reference list not older than 2017
Case study:
Mrs Sophie Green is a 72-year-old female patient and admitted into the hospital surgical ward presenting with stage 1 pressure injuries on both elbows (olecranon), stage 4 sacral pressure injury and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus. Sophie has multiple sclerosis, completely immobile, has bladder and bowel incontinence and is severely malnourished. Sophie lives at home with their husband Colin who is 82-years.
On admission the nurse notes the following observations:
Blood Pressure: 101 / 60 mmHg
Heart rate: 110 bpm (regular pulse)
Respiratory rate: 24 bpm
Temperature: 39°C
Oxygen Saturation: 93% (Room air)
Capillary refill: less than 3 seconds
Level of Consciousness: Glasgow Coma scale 15/15, PEARL, Alert and orientated to person, place, and time
Skin: stage 1 stage pressure injury on both elbows (olecranon) and 4 sacral pressure injury
Pain score: 8/10 sharp sacral pain
Blood glucose level: 16 millimoles/ litre
Weight: 50 kilograms
Height: 175 cm
BMI: 16.3
Past medical History:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (on prescribed metformin)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) (on prescribed salbutamol and Tiotropium bromide (Spiriva)
Allergies
Nil known allergies
Lifestyle habits
Used to smoke 10-20 cigarettes/day, but now reduced to 5 -10 cigarettes/day (attempted to stop smoking with no success)
Consumes 5-8 standard glasses of alcohol on weekends only
Denies illicit drug use
Familial History: Mother - hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)