Reference no: EM133385159

Mr. Weatherman has been admitted to your extended care facility. He is an 89-year-old male with a diagnosis of metastatic cancer of the brain.

He has been cared for at home until the primary caregiver also became ill. Currently he is semicomatose. His advanced directive specifies no feeding tube, no intravenous fluids, and no cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Upon admission, you note several areas of skin breakdown.

1. What factors placed Mr. Weatherman at greater risk for skin breakdown?

Factors that placed Mr. Weatherman at greater risk for skin breakdown include immobility, poor nutrition, advanced age, and inadequate hydration.

Many factors, including inactivity, poor diet, advanced age, and lack of water, contribute to skin disintegration.

2. What should be included in the nursing care plan for Mr. Weatherman to prevent further skin breakdown?

The nursing care plan for Mr. Weatherman should include frequent repositioning, proper nutrition and hydration, monitoring of skin integrity, and use of appropriate dressings and topical medications. In order to prevent additional skin breakdown, it is crucial to identify the patient's predisposing conditions and develop a nursing care plan to address them.

3. Describe the wound healing of a pressure ulcer.

The wound healing of a pressure ulcer involves four stages: inflammation, proliferation, maturation, and remodeling. During the inflammation phase, the wound is cleaned and debris is removed. The proliferation phase involves the formation of granulation tissue. In the maturation phase, the wound is filled with collagen and the edges of the wound contract. Finally, the remodeling phase involves the reconstruction of the skin layers and the formation of a scar.The nursing care plan should involve periodic repositioning of the patient to prevent skin breakdown. Because of this, the likelihood of developing pressure ulcers or other forms of skin injury due to immobility is decreased.