Learn who is at risk of pressure injuries, check the skin during care, reposition by the care plan, and protect fragile skin.
ForNursing home, Home health, Hospice staff
TimeAbout 70 minutes
Lessons8, each with a quick check
FinishA quiz (80% to pass) and a printable certificate of completion
What you will learn
Explain what a pressure injury is and how it forms.
Name common risk factors for pressure injuries.
Check the skin every time you bathe, change, or turn a person.
Turn and reposition people on the schedule in their care plan.
Explain how urine, stool and sweat harm the skin.
Explain why older skin tears and bruises easily.
Explain how eating and drinking help protect the skin.
Give gentle skin care for comfort at the end of life.
Written by Pact Compliance from federal rules and CDC, CMS, OSHA and NIH guidance (sources under each lesson), checked October 2026. Where your facility's policy is different, follow your facility's policy.
Lesson 1: Pressure Injuries: What They Are and Why They Matter
In this lesson you will:
Explain what a pressure injury is and how it forms.
Know why older skin is at higher risk.
Know your role: notice, report, protect.
Skin protects
Older skin
Your skin does a lot of work. It lets you feel touch, pain, and pressure. It helps keep your body at the right heat. And it protects you. As people age, the outer layer of skin gets thinner. The layer of fat that pads the body gets thinner too. Older skin is more fragile, and it may not feel pressure as well. MedlinePlus says older skin may heal up to four times slower.
Pressure injury
Many names
A pressure injury is damage to the skin and the tissue under it. It is usually over a bone, or under a medical device, like a tube or a brace. It comes from strong or long pressure, or from pressure plus a pulling force called shear. You may hear other names for it. Pressure ulcer. Pressure sore. Bedsore. Decubitus. They all mean the same kind of harm.
How it forms
Blood flow
Here is how it happens. A person lies or sits in one spot for a long time. The skin presses against a bed or chair. That pressure cuts down the blood supply to the skin. Without blood, the skin and tissue can be damaged or die. At first, the skin may still look closed, but it may hurt. Later, it can turn into an open sore.
Show the answer
Pressure on the skin for a long time cuts down blood flow, and the tissue is damaged. MedlinePlus says pressure reduces the blood supply, and the tissue can be damaged or die.
Why it matters
Pain, infection
Pressure injuries hurt. AHRQ says they cause pain, disfigurement, and a higher risk of infection. MedlinePlus says pressure sores can cause serious infections, and some can be life-threatening. Deep sores are slow to heal. That is why finding them early matters so much. The best plan is to stop them before they start.
The rules
Every setting
In nursing homes, a federal rule says each resident must get care to prevent pressure ulcers. A resident should not get one unless their health made it unavoidable. A resident who has one must get care to help it heal, prevent infection, and stop new ones. For home health and hospice aides, the rules say training must cover skin care, positioning, and reporting changes to the nurse. Home health training also names spotting and reporting changes in the skin.
Avoidable
Unavoidable
CMS explains when a pressure injury was avoidable. It was avoidable if the team did not do one of these steps. Check the person's health and risks. Put the right care in place. Watch to see if it works. And change the plan when needed. If the team did all of that and an injury still formed, it may have been unavoidable. So the planned care you give every day really counts.
Your role
Notice, report, protect
You are not the one who decides what kind of wound it is, or how bad it is. Your nurse does that. Your job has three parts. Notice skin changes while you give care. Report them to your nurse right away. And protect the skin by following the care plan. That means turning on time, padding bony spots, and keeping skin clean and dry.
On your shift
A red spot
Mr. Lane is 88. He just came back from the hospital and stays in bed most of the day. During his bath, you see a red spot on his tailbone. You don't know what it is. You don't need to. You finish his care gently and help him onto his side, as his plan says. Then you tell your nurse what you saw, where it is, how big it looks, and when you saw it.
Quick review
Prevent it
Let's review. A pressure injury is damage to skin and tissue from pressure, often over a bone or under a device. Older skin is thin, fragile, and slow to heal. Pressure injuries cause pain and can lead to serious infection. Many can be prevented with good, planned care. Your part is to notice, report, and protect.
Know the body areas where pressure injuries form most often.
Remember that medical devices can cause pressure injuries too.
Who is at risk
Can't move
Anyone can get a pressure injury. Some people are at much higher risk. MedlinePlus lists people who spend most of the day in a bed or chair, and people who can't change position on their own. It also lists people who leak urine or stool, people who are very thin or overweight, and people who can't feel parts of their body well.
More risks
Health problems
CMS lists more risk factors. Diabetes and other long-term illness. Poor blood flow. Memory loss or confusion. Not eating or drinking enough. Refusing parts of care. And a pressure injury that healed in the past. That spot can break down again. Risk can also go up fast when a person gets sick, like with pneumonia.
New arrivals
First weeks
Watch closely when a person is new to your care. CMS says a person at risk can get a pressure injury within hours of pressure starting. CMS also says that in nursing homes, most pressure injuries form in the first two weeks after admission. Some damage may have started in the hospital or on a long ride. Report what you see from day one.
Show the answer
The tailbone area and the heels. CMS says pressure injuries on the sacrum, or tailbone area, and heels are most common.
Bony spots
Tailbone and heels
Pressure injuries form where bone is close to the skin. CMS says the tailbone area and the heels are the most common. Other spots are the hips, ankles, knees, elbows, shoulder blades, spine, the back of the head, and the ears. Think of the parts that touch the bed or chair.
Sitting
Chair spots
Sitting has its own risks. CMS says a person who sits too long in one spot can get a pressure injury on the sit bones under the buttocks. Slouching can put pressure on the spine, shoulder blades, or elbows. Elbows can get sore from arm rests or lap boards. Help the person sit up well, as the care plan says.
Devices
Check under them
Medical devices can cause pressure injuries too. The sore often has the same shape as the device. Examples are oxygen tubing on the ears or nose, catheter tubes, braces, splints, neck collars, and shoes that don't fit. AHRQ says to look at the skin under devices, like oxygen tubing and catheters. If a device leaves a red mark, tell your nurse. Don't move or remove it unless the care plan says you can.
Darker skin
Look and feel
Redness can be hard to see on darker skin. CMS says this puts people with darker skin at more risk. So look for other signs too. The spot may look purple, blue, or darker than the skin around it. It may feel warmer or cooler, firmer, or softer than nearby skin. The person may say it hurts or feels different. Report these signs the same way.
On your shift
The oxygen tube
Mrs. Brooks wears oxygen all day. While you brush her hair, she says her ears are sore. You look and see a red line where the tubing sits on top of her ear. You tell her you will get the nurse. Then you tell your nurse what she said and what you saw. A small mark like this is easy to miss, and easy to fix early.
Quick review
Know the spots
Let's review. People who can't move well, who leak urine or stool, or who don't eat or drink enough are at higher risk. Risk goes up in the first weeks of care and when a person gets sick. Watch bony spots, most of all the tailbone and heels. Check under devices. And on darker skin, look for color changes and feel for warmth or firmness.
Lesson 3: Check the Skin During Care and Report Changes
In this lesson you will:
Check the skin every time you bathe, change, or turn a person.
Know the changes to report: redness that stays, warmth, blisters, open areas, pain.
Give a clear report to your nurse right away.
Every day
Head to toe
MedlinePlus says the skin should be checked every day, from head to toe. Pay close attention to the bony spots where pressure injuries form. AHRQ says nursing assistants can check the skin any time they clean, bathe, or turn a person. So you don't need extra time. Make it part of the care you already give.
Privacy first
Clean hands
AHRQ gives tips for a skin check. Tell the person what you are doing. Give privacy and keep the body covered except the part you are looking at. Clean your hands before and after, and wear gloves. Get help to turn the person so you can see their back and tailbone.
Look closely
Hidden places
Look at the parts that are easy to miss. Check heels and feet when you place pillows under the legs. Check the back of the head and the ears. Look under oxygen tubing, tubes, and braces. Look in skin folds, under the breasts, and in the groin. If the care plan says to remove stockings or splints for skin checks, look at the skin under them.
Show the answer
A warm, spongy area on the hip. MedlinePlus lists warm areas and spongy or hard skin as early signs of a pressure injury.
What to report
Early signs
MedlinePlus lists early signs of a pressure injury. Redness, which is harder to see on darker skin. A warm area. Skin that feels spongy or hard. Or skin that is breaking down, or a sore. MedlinePlus also says to watch for red areas that do not turn white when pressed, and for blisters, sores, or open areas.
Also report
Pain, drainage
Report pain or burning too. CMS says if a person says a spot that had pressure hurts or burns, report it. Report a sore that smells bad, drains fluid or pus, or has red, warm, or swollen skin around it. MedlinePlus says these can be signs of infection. And report a fever or a person who suddenly seems sicker.
Right away
Don't wait
CMS says staff should report skin changes as soon as they find them. Don't wait for the end of your shift, and don't wait for the next bath day. AHRQ says every change from normal skin should be reported. You do not need to know what it is. Your nurse will look and decide. When you are not sure, report it.
A clear report
Who, where, what
Give your nurse clear facts. Who. Where on the body. What it looks or feels like. How big. When you saw it. What the person said. For example: 'Mrs. Hall in room 9 has a red spot on her left heel, about the size of a dime. It stays red. She says it hurts. I saw it at 7 a.m.' Some places use a body outline. You mark the spot and hand it to the nurse. Then write it down where your policy says.
On your shift
The left heel
You are giving Mr. Dunn a bed bath. When you lift his leg, you see a blister on his left heel. You keep the heel off the bed with a pillow under his calf, as his care plan says. You do not pop the blister. You finish his care and tell your nurse right away: which heel, the size, and that it is new today.
Quick review
See it, say it
Let's review. Check the skin every time you bathe, change, or turn a person. Give privacy and clean your hands. Look at heels, the tailbone, ears, skin folds, and under devices. Report redness that stays, warmth, spongy or hard skin, blisters, open areas, pain, or drainage. Report right away, with clear facts. Your nurse decides what it is.
Your facility's policy (ask your supervisor):
Where aides record skin observations (flow sheet, EHR screen, body-outline form)
Lesson 4: Turning and Repositioning: Follow the Care Plan
In this lesson you will:
Turn and reposition people on the schedule in their care plan.
Offload heels and bony spots with pillows and devices as planned.
Lift, don't drag, to prevent friction and shear.
Move often
Within hours
Changing a person's position is one of the best ways to prevent pressure injuries. CMS calls it common and effective. CMS also says a person at risk can get a pressure injury within hours. Many people can't make the small moves that we all make without thinking. They depend on you to move them.
The schedule
Care plan
The nurse and team set each person's turning schedule in the care plan. They look at how well the person moves, their health, their skin, and their comfort. For a person in bed who needs staff to move them, CMS says the plan may say at least every two hours, or more often. MedlinePlus says every one to two hours. Follow the schedule. Don't stretch it. If you can't make a turn on time, tell your nurse.
In bed
Pillows between
When a person lies on their side, MedlinePlus says to put a pillow or foam between the knees and between the ankles. CMS says, with rare exceptions, a person should not lie right on the hip bone for more than a moment. Never position a person on a pressure injury they already have. Use the pillows, wedges, and positions in the care plan.
Show the answer
Under the calves, so the heels lift off the bed. CMS and MedlinePlus say a pillow under the lower leg can lift the heels off the bed.
Heels
Float them
Heels are small and bony, so CMS says they need special attention. A pillow under the whole lower leg can lift the heel off the bed. MedlinePlus says do not put pillows under the knees. That puts more pressure on the heels. Heel and elbow protectors help stop rubbing, but CMS says they don't spread out pressure. So check heels at every turn.
Head of bed
30 degrees
MedlinePlus says to keep the head of the bed at 30 degrees or lower when you can. Lying flatter keeps the body from sliding down, and sliding hurts the skin. CMS says raising the head 30 degrees or more puts pressure on the body like sitting does. Some people need the head higher, like people with feeding tubes or breathing problems. Follow what the care plan says for each person.
In the chair
Shift weight
CMS says time in a chair without pressure relief should be limited. Many clinicians want people who can't move themselves to have pressure taken off every hour while sitting. MedlinePlus says a person in a wheelchair should shift weight every 15 to 20 minutes, by leaning forward, left, and right. Remind people who can shift on their own. A cushion helps, but it does not replace position changes. Do not use donut-shaped cushions.
Lift, don't drag
Friction and shear
Dragging a person across the sheets hurts the skin in two ways. Friction is skin rubbing against a surface. Shear is when the skin stays still but the tissue under it slides. That can tear tiny blood vessels. MedlinePlus says never drag. Lift the person, or use a draw sheet. If the care plan says to use a lift device, use it. Get help when you need it.
Small shifts
Full turns too
AHRQ says small shifts each time you enter the room can help. Pull a pillow out a little. Bend or straighten the legs a little. But CMS says a tiny shift alone may not be enough to let blood flow back. So small shifts are a bonus. They never replace the full turns in the care plan.
On your shift
It hurts to turn
Mrs. Ortiz says, 'Leave me alone. Turning hurts.' Her turn is due now. You stay calm. You explain why turning protects her skin, and you ask which side feels best. CMS says pain can keep a person from moving. So you tell your nurse she has pain with turning, and that she said no. The nurse can treat the pain and adjust the plan.
Quick review
On time, every time
Let's review. Pressure injuries can start within hours. Turn people on the schedule in their care plan. Don't stretch it. Use pillows between the knees and ankles, and float the heels. No pillows under the knees, and no donut cushions. Help people in chairs shift their weight. Lift, don't drag. And tell your nurse if a person refuses, has pain, or misses a turn.
Your facility's policy (ask your supervisor):
Where each person's turning schedule and positioning devices are listed
How aides record turns (turn sheet, EHR)
Lift and draw-sheet policy, and who to call for help with a turn
Lesson 5: Moisture and Incontinence: Keep Skin Clean and Dry
In this lesson you will:
Explain how urine, stool and sweat harm the skin.
Clean and dry the skin gently right after each episode.
Use only the skin products in the care plan, and report skin problems.
Moisture harms
Urine and stool
Wet skin breaks down faster. CMS says urine and stool contain things that irritate the skin. Stool may be even harder on the skin. Wet skin is also more easily hurt by rubbing and sliding when a person is moved. MedlinePlus says too much moisture makes redness, peeling, and yeast rashes likely.
Where to look
Brief area
MedlinePlus says the skin near the buttocks, hips, and genitals is most affected, along with the skin between the legs. Briefs and pads keep bedding and clothes cleaner. But they also hold urine and stool against the skin. Over time, the skin breaks down. So briefs never replace prompt changes and good skin care.
Clean right away
Gentle and dry
MedlinePlus says to clean and dry the skin right away after urine or stool. Use mild soap and water, or the soap-free cleanser your workplace supplies. Rinse well if the product needs it. Wash gently with a soft cloth. Don't scrub. Pat the skin dry. Don't rub. Change wet or soiled sheets and clothes right away.
Show the answer
Pat it dry gently. MedlinePlus says to rinse well and gently pat dry.
Skin folds
Under and between
Moisture hides in skin folds. NIA says caregivers should dry between folds of skin and check for rashes. MedlinePlus says to clean and dry the skin under the breasts and in the groin. It also says not to use talc powder or strong soaps. Sweat counts as moisture too. Keep these areas clean and dry.
Barrier cream
Care plan products
Many people have a barrier cream or ointment in their care plan. It puts a thin layer between the skin and urine or stool. MedlinePlus says the skin still must be cleaned each time, then the cream put back on. Use only the products in the care plan, the way your policy allows. Do not bring in creams or powders from home, and do not use baby powder.
What to report
Rash or raw
Report skin changes in the brief area. Redness, peeling, or skin that looks raw. MedlinePlus says a yeast rash can be itchy, red, and pimple-like. CMS says a rash from wetness can be hard to tell apart from a pressure injury. That is a job for your nurse. You just report what you see.
Dignity
Prompt and kind
Being wet or soiled is uncomfortable and embarrassing. Answer call lights quickly. Check people who can't ask for help as often as the care plan says. Give privacy, and talk with the person in a calm, respectful way. Clean, dry skin is a comfort and a protection.
On your shift
A wet brief
You check on Mrs. Young and find her brief is wet and soiled. Her skin looks red and shiny in the brief area. You tell her you are going to clean her up. You wash gently, rinse, and pat dry. You put on the barrier cream from her care plan and a clean brief. Then you tell your nurse about the red, shiny skin.
Quick review
Clean and dry
Let's review. Urine, stool, and sweat irritate the skin and make it easier to injure. Clean and dry the skin right away after each episode. Wash gently and pat dry. Dry skin folds. Change wet linens and clothes right away. Use only the products in the care plan. Report redness, rashes, or raw skin to your nurse.
Your facility's policy (ask your supervisor):
Approved cleansers, barrier creams and moisturizers aides may use
Handle and move people gently to prevent skin tears.
Report skin tears and unexplained bruises right away.
Fragile skin
Tears easily
Older skin is thin and fragile. MedlinePlus says rubbing or pulling on the skin can cause skin tears. Blood vessels in older skin also break easily. So bruises can form after even a small bump. NIA says older adults bruise more easily, and their bruises take longer to heal.
Common causes
Pulling, bumping
Many skin tears happen during everyday care. Pulling a person by the arm. Sliding them across the sheets. Bumping a leg on a wheelchair or bed rail. Pulling off tight clothes. CMS calls rubbing across a surface friction, and the pulling of skin over tissue shear. Both hurt fragile skin.
Move gently
Lift, support
Move people slowly and gently. MedlinePlus says to lift the person or use a draw sheet. Never drag them. Support arms and legs from underneath. Don't grab or squeeze. If the care plan calls for a lift device or two staff, follow it. Ask the person to help as much as they can.
Show the answer
Lifting with a draw sheet and a helper. MedlinePlus says to lift or use a draw sheet and never drag.
Pad and protect
Rails, armrests
CMS says pillows, foam wedges, and heel and elbow protectors can keep bony spots from rubbing. They can keep skin off armrests, the bed, or side rails. MedlinePlus says to keep sheets dry, smooth, and free of wrinkles. Take objects like pens, coins, or pins out of the bed. Use the padding and protectors in the care plan.
Clothes and care
Soft and loose
MedlinePlus says to avoid clothes with thick seams, buttons, or zippers that press on the skin. Clothes should not be too tight or bunched up. When you bathe, use a soft cloth and don't scrub. Use warm, not hot, water. NIA says moisturizers help dry skin. Dry skin can crack and tear. Use the lotions in the care plan.
If a tear happens
Stop and tell
If you see a skin tear, stop what you are doing. Stay calm and comfort the person. Protect the area and keep it clean, as your policy says. Tell your nurse right away. The nurse decides how to care for it. Then think about what caused it, so it doesn't happen again.
Unexplained marks
Report them
Some bruises and skin tears have no clear cause. NIA says bruises with no known cause, especially on parts of the body covered by clothes, should be checked. They can be a sign of elder abuse. In nursing homes, CMS says an injury no one saw, that the person can't explain, and that is suspicious, must be reported. In every setting, tell your nurse right away. Follow the reporting steps from your abuse course.
On your shift
Bumped bed rail
You help Mr. Silva roll onto his side. His arm bumps the bed rail, and you see a small flap of torn skin. You stop and tell him you are sorry and you will get help. You cover the area as your policy says. You tell your nurse what happened and how. Then you ask whether his care plan needs padding on the rail.
Quick review
Gentle hands
Let's review. Older skin is thin, tears easily, and bruises with small bumps. Lift, don't drag. Support limbs from underneath. Pad bony spots, rails, and armrests as the plan says. Keep sheets smooth and clothes loose. If a skin tear happens, stop, protect it, and tell your nurse. Report any bruise or tear with no clear cause right away.
Your facility's policy (ask your supervisor):
Your skin tear policy (what aides do first, what the nurse does)
Explain how eating and drinking help protect the skin.
Help with meals and fluids as the care plan says.
Report eating less, drinking less, and weight changes.
Fuel for skin
Food and water
CMS says good nutrition and fluids are essential for the whole body. Food gives the body energy and the building blocks to repair itself. The skin is the body's largest organ. CMS says skin breakdown may be the most visible sign of a health problem. Skin that is well fed and has enough water is stronger.
Calories and protein
Enough water
MedlinePlus says to eat enough calories and protein to stay healthy, and to drink plenty of water every day. A healthy diet with enough calories and protein helps keep the skin healthy. People who don't eat well are at more risk for pressure sores. And MedlinePlus says dehydration increases the risk of skin injury.
Thirst
Offer drinks
Many older adults don't drink enough. NIA says drinking too little water can make skin dry and rough. AHRQ says dehydration is a common problem that raises pressure injury risk. AHRQ says some care plans ask staff to offer a sip of a drink each time they enter the room. Follow each person's plan. Some people have fluid limits or need thickened drinks.
Show the answer
Dehydration is common and raises the risk of skin injury. AHRQ and MedlinePlus link dehydration to skin injury and pressure injury risk.
At meals
Help as planned
Help people eat the way their care plan says. Help them sit up for meals. Set up the tray, open containers, and cut food if needed. Give them time. Offer the foods and drinks they like. If a person needs help eating, give it calmly and at their pace. Follow any special diet or texture on the plan.
Count it
Write it down
Many care plans ask aides to record how much a person eats and drinks. Be honest and exact. Write what was eaten, not what was served. These numbers help the nurse and dietitian spot problems early. CMS says weight loss that isn't planned may be a sign of poor nutrition or worse health.
What to report
Less food, less fluid
Tell your nurse when a person eats or drinks less than usual, or skips meals. Report signs of weight loss, like clothes or rings that are suddenly loose. And report when a person refuses food or drinks. CMS says the team should find out why a person refuses care and look for other choices.
Choices
Respect them
People have the right to make choices about what they eat. Never force food or fluids. Instead, ask what they would like. Offer a different choice, or try again later. Then tell your nurse. The team can work with the person on a plan that fits their wishes and goals.
On your shift
Half a tray
Mr. Ames has eaten about half of each meal for three days. He says the food is 'fine,' but he keeps pushing it away. You record what he really ate. You ask what he would like instead and offer a drink he enjoys. Then you tell your nurse he has been eating less for three days. The nurse can check him and talk to the dietitian.
Quick review
Feed the skin
Let's review. Food and fluids help skin stay strong and heal. Not eating or drinking enough raises the risk of skin injury and pressure sores. Help with meals and fluids the way the care plan says. Record intake honestly. Report eating less, drinking less, weight changes, and refusals. Respect choices, and never force food or fluids.
Your facility's policy (ask your supervisor):
How aides record meal and fluid intake
Who to tell about a fluid limit, thickened liquids or a special diet
Lesson 8: Skin Comfort at the End of Life and in the Home
In this lesson you will:
Give gentle skin care for comfort at the end of life.
Help family caregivers follow the skin care plan at home.
Report skin changes to the nurse or RN right away.
Comfort first
End of life
Near the end of life, the goal of care often shifts to comfort. NIA says skin problems can be very uncomfortable for someone who is dying. NIA says to keep the skin clean and moisturized. Gently apply an alcohol-free lotion to ease itching and dryness. Use the products in the care plan.
Still turn
Gently
NIA says lying in one position can cause painful bed sores. Turning a person every few hours may help prevent them. CMS nursing home guidance says care should match the person's wishes. But even at the end of life, basic care like cleaning, turning, and repositioning still matters. Follow the turning plan the nurse sets. It may change as the person's needs change.
Watch for
Darker spots
NIA says a new bed sore first looks discolored or darker. Watch the heels, hips, lower back, and back of the head. A foam pad under a heel or elbow can lift it off the bed. CMS describes a kind of skin breakdown near the end of life that can appear suddenly, within hours, often near the tailbone. Report any sudden skin change right away.
Show the answer
Skin that is discolored or darker. NIA says when a bed sore first forms, the skin gets discolored or darker.
Pain
Watch for clues
Turning or skin care may hurt. CMS says pain can keep a person from moving, which adds to pressure. NIA says to watch for pain clues, like trouble sleeping, more agitation, or crying. Move slowly and gently. If the person seems to hurt with care, tell the nurse. The nurse can plan pain relief before care.
In the home
Written plan
In home health and hospice, a nurse writes your care instructions. In home health, a therapist may write them instead. You give the care that is in the plan of care. The rules say you must report changes in the patient's condition to the RN, and complete your records. So when you see a skin change in the home, call your RN or agency the way your policy says.
Families help
Teach the plan
In the home, family members often give most of the daily care. AHRQ says patients and families should understand the risk and the parts of the plan they can help with. You can show family what the plan says, like how often to turn, where to put pillows, and keeping skin clean and dry. If they ask something you can't answer, connect them with the nurse.
Home setup
Gentle tips
NIA says families can ask the health care team if a special mattress or chair cushion might help. MedlinePlus says no donut cushions and no pillows under the knees. Keep sheets smooth and dry. If you see something in the home that could harm the skin, like a donut cushion, tell the family kindly. Then tell your RN.
On your shift
A home visit
You visit Mr. Grant at home. He is on hospice. His wife says, 'He's been on his back all day. He looks so peaceful.' When you help him turn, you see a dark purple spot on his lower back. You make him comfortable on his side with pillows, as the plan says. You tell his wife you will call the nurse. Then you call your hospice RN right away and report what you saw.
Quick review
Comfort and report
Let's review. At the end of life, skin care is about comfort. Keep skin clean and moisturized. Turning, cleaning, and repositioning still matter. Follow the plan the nurse sets. Watch heels, hips, lower back, and the back of the head for darker spots. Watch for pain. Help families follow the plan. And report skin changes to your nurse or RN right away.
Your facility's policy (ask your supervisor):
Agency or hospice RN phone number for skin changes, 24/7
Hospice comfort-care and turning policy at end of life
Answer every question. You need 80% to pass. You can try again as many times as you like.
Your quiz covers the lessons for: Nursing home ( questions). Change your setting
Please read
This free course gives you a certificate of completion from Pact Compliance. It is not continuing education (CE) credit and is not approved by any state.
Your employer decides whether it counts toward required in-service hours. Home health and hospice aide training must be given or supervised by the agency's registered nurse.
California: it does not count toward CNA or HHA renewal hours.
Your name and quiz answers stay in your browser and are never sent to Pact.
Pact Compliance LLC, Cordova, TN
Certificate of Completion
This certifies that
completed the online in-service course
Skin Care and Pressure Injury Prevention
Setting
Completed
Seat time
Quiz score
Certificate ID
This free course gives you a certificate of completion from Pact Compliance. It is not continuing education (CE) credit and is not approved by any state. Your employer decides whether it counts toward required in-service hours. Home health and hospice aide training must be given or supervised by the agency's registered nurse. California: it does not count toward CNA or HHA renewal hours.
Part of this topic needs a hands-on check with your supervisor; this online course does not cover that part.
Pact does not keep a record of this certificate. Print it or save it as a PDF and give a copy to your supervisor. pactcompliance.com/free-training/pressure-injury-prevention/
For owners, administrators and staff development coordinators
Track every staff member's training and licenses in one place. Try the 30-day demo.