IN PRACTICE
When assessing the risk of pressure ulcers, community nurses need to carefully consider a person’s posture and the ramifications for symmetry, stability and function. Sprigle and Sonenblum (2011) identified the link between posture and positioning in terms of pressure distribution and areas of loading, stating posture must be considered when clinicians establish an approach to pressure ulcer prevention. Furthermore, the ability to sit can be affected by a number of issues, namely:
- Age- related shortening of tissues
- Disability-related physical changes
- Mental status (Masso et al, 2009)