Case Study: A 68-year-old diabetic male resident in a long term care facility is bedridden and has refused food and fluids for two days. He has a Stage 3 pressure ulcer in the coccyx and multiple...

Case Study:

A 68-year-old diabetic male resident in a long term care facility is bedridden and has refused food and fluids for two days. He has a Stage 3 pressure ulcer in the coccyx and multiple venous ulcerations in the left lower leg. The following questions will assist the nursing student in the assessment of a client with skin breakdown.

1. How is skin turgor assessed? Give the different sites for checking skin turgor in clients with special considerations (i.e., pediatric and gerontological cases).

2. How will you check skin moisture?

3. Describe the techniques in checking skin temperature.

4. How will you assess for edema of the lower extremities?

5. Describe the key features in pressure ulcer assessment.

6. Describe a Stage III pressure ulcer.

7. Differentiate an arterial ulcer from a venous ulcer.