Visual Assessment

Conduct a visual assessment to ensure there are no breaks in the skin. As persistent redness is a key feature of a Stage 1 PU, you need to be able to differentiate between blanching and non-blanching hyperaemia by applying light finger pressure to the reddened area.

Physical Assessment

Physical assessment is used to compare the affected area to the surrounding area and to the same anatomical site on opposite sides of body.

Assess the following:

• any changes in skin temperature, i.e. warmer or cooler
• increased skin tautness (usually sign of inflammation), ‘bogginess’ (usually sign of inflammation with oedema), shine and dimpling
• any complaints of pain, numbness, pins and needles.