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Question: 1 / 500

In bariatric patients, which areas are most commonly affected by hospital-acquired pressure ulcers?

Feet and ankles

Shoulders and neck

Sacrum/coccyx, heels, buttocks

The correct answer highlights the most common locations for hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in bariatric patients, specifically the sacrum or coccyx, heels, and buttocks. In bariatric individuals, the increased body mass and the associated pressure exerted on the skin and soft tissues create prime conditions for pressure ulcers in these areas.

The sacrum and coccyx are particularly vulnerable due to the bony prominences and the weight bearing down on them when patients are in supine or seated positions. Similarly, the heels and buttocks are at risk due to their contact points with surfaces such as beds or chairs, compounded by the limited mobility that bariatric patients may experience.

Understanding these high-risk areas is crucial for implementing effective prevention strategies in clinical settings, ensuring that proper positioning, pressure redistribution, and skin care protocols are applied. This can significantly reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers in these at-risk patients, highlighting the importance of targeted care in wound management for bariatric individuals.

Elbows and knees

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