Exam Pass Notes

Use these notes as a last review before the assessment. They summarise the main course messages, but they do not replace local skin-integrity policy, repositioning plans, moving-and-handling guidance, discharge instructions or the resident's current care plan.

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Core principles

• Pressure ulcer prevention is part of everyday care, not only wound care.
• Risk rises with limited mobility, inability to reposition, previous pressure damage, poor intake, illness, continence problems and long periods in bed or a chair.
• Early signs include pain, tenderness, discolouration, warmth, firmness, moisture change and repeated redness over pressure areas.
• On darker skin tones, pressure damage may show more as discolouration, pain, heat or texture change than obvious redness.
• Carers help most by noticing change early, following the plan and escalating clearly.

Everyday prevention

• Follow the resident's live repositioning and mobility plan rather than guessing.
• NICE quality standards describe at least every 6 hours for adults at risk and at least every 4 hours for adults at high risk as a basis for repositioning plans, but local clinical advice and the current care plan come first.
• Avoid dragging, sliding and rough handling because friction and shear can damage skin.
• Respond promptly to damp skin, continence exposure, poor food intake and poor fluid intake.
• Check that mattresses, cushions, heel protection and other equipment are present, suitable and working.

Role boundaries and escalation

• Frontline carers recognise, record and report skin concerns clearly.
• Do not casually grade pressure damage or improvise wound treatment outside local policy and competence.
• Escalate new skin breaks, worsening discolouration, pressure-area pain, repeated redness, signs of infection, faulty equipment and unclear discharge instructions promptly.
• Record exact site, signs, actions taken, resident response and who was informed.
• Recurring near misses should trigger review before they become confirmed harm.

For the exam, remember the shape of safe practice: notice risk, check the skin, follow the plan, protect from pressure and moisture, record clearly and escalate early.