Pressure injury is best defined as

Pressure injury is best defined as

• A. Localized tissue damage over a bony prominence or under a medical device
• B. A blister caused by a burn
• C. A minor scrape
• D. A normal skin irritation from moisture

Answer: (A)

Pressure injury refers to localized damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue that occurs when external pressure over a bony prominence (or under a medical device) reduces blood flow, leading to tissue ischemia and death. The defining point is that the damage comes from sustained pressure in those vulnerable areas, not from a burn, a simple scrape, or skin irritation from moisture. Friction and shear can worsen the injury, but the characteristic feature is tissue damage tied to pressure over a bone area or beneath a device. For example, prolonged laying in one position or a device pressing against the skin can cause this type of injury even if the skin initially looks only mildly red.

Pressure injury refers to localized damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue that occurs when external pressure over a bony prominence (or under a medical device) reduces blood flow, leading to tissue ischemia and death. The defining point is that the damage comes from sustained pressure in those vulnerable areas, not from a burn, a simple scrape, or skin irritation from moisture. Friction and shear can worsen the injury, but the characteristic feature is tissue damage tied to pressure over a bone area or beneath a device. For example, prolonged laying in one position or a device pressing against the skin can cause this type of injury even if the skin initially looks only mildly red.