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Nursing vocabulary · Wound Care

Pressure ulcer

Meaning in nursing, with examples

/ˈprɛʃər ˌʌlsər/nounCore term

In nursing, pressure ulcer means: Damage to the skin and the tissue under it caused by long pressure, usually over bony areas such as the heels, hips or the base of the spine.

In Turkish: bası yarası, basınç yarası, yatak yarası

How it is used

Also called 'pressure sore', 'bedsore' (informal) or 'pressure injury', the term now preferred in the US and Australia. Pressure ulcers are graded by category or stage from 1 to 4. Many are considered avoidable, so nurses talk about preventing, grading and reporting them.

Example sentences

  1. She was admitted from a nursing home with a category 3 pressure ulcer on her sacrum.

  2. We turn him every two hours to prevent pressure ulcers.

Common collocations

  • develop a pressure ulcer
  • prevent pressure ulcers
  • category 2 pressure ulcer
  • pressure ulcer risk
  • repositionTo change the position of a patient in bed or in a chair, to relieve pressure on the skin, make them comfortable or help their breathing.
  • woundDamage to the skin and the tissue under it, caused for example by an injury, an operation or long pressure.
  • dressingA covering put on a wound to protect it, absorb fluid and help it heal, such as a gauze pad, a film or a foam dressing.
  • incontinenceBeing unable to control when urine or faeces leave the body, so that leaks happen without the person meaning them to.
  • assessmentA careful, organised check of a patient's physical and mental condition and needs, used to plan and adjust their nursing care.

More terms: Wound Care

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.