Pressure ulcers (Dekubitus) in the Kenntnisprüfung

You discover a reddened area over the sacrum (Kreuzbein). How do you check whether it is a category 1 pressure ulcer (Dekubitus Kategorie 1)?

• I measure the skin temperature: if the area is warmer than its surroundings, it is category 1
• I do the finger test (Fingertest): if the redness persists, it is non-blanchable (nicht wegdrückbar)
• I wait 24 hours without changing position and then assess the redness again
• I massage the area briefly: if the redness does not disappear afterwards, it is category 1

Explanation: The finger test distinguishes the harmless, blanchable redness from the non-blanchable redness of category 1. Waiting would be a treatment error: the area needs immediate, consistent pressure relief.

Which intervention has the highest priority for a beginning pressure ulcer?

• Complete pressure relief (Druckentlastung) of the affected area
• Applying a thick layer of wound and healing ointment to the redness
• Protein-rich nutrition and additional fluid intake
• Massaging the reddened area to improve blood flow

Explanation: Without pressure relief no other intervention works — it is the causal therapy. Massage is contraindicated because it traumatises the damaged tissue further.