Question

When clients are pulled up in bed rather than lifted, they are at increased risk for the development of a decubitus ulcer. What is the name given to the factor responsible for this risk?

a. friction
b. necrosis of tissue
c. ischemia
d. shearing force

Answer 1

Shearing force is the factor responsible for the increased risk of developing decubitus ulcers when clients are pulled up in bed, as this force causes stretching and potential damage to the skin and blood vessels.

Step-by-step explanation:

When clients are pulled up in bed, rather than lifted, they are at increased risk for decubitus ulcers, often due to the shearing force exerted on their skin and underlying tissues. This shearing force acts parallel to the skin's surface, pushing the skin in one direction and the underlying bone in another, causing stretching and tearing of capillaries and blood vessels, resulting in decreased blood flow and potential damage to the skin, a key factor in the development of these ulcers. Other contributing factors to the formation of bedsores include friction and pressure, but it is the shearing force that is particularly responsible when clients are pulled across bed linens or mattresses.