In a patient with complete spinal cord injury in a wheelchair, how frequently should pressure-relief maneuvers be performed?

In a patient with complete spinal cord injury in a wheelchair, how frequently should pressure-relief maneuvers be performed?

• A. Every 1 to 2 hours
• B. Every 15 to 20 minutes
• C. When signs of pressure sores appear
• D. Only if the cushion is inadequate

Answer: (B)

Regular pressure relief is essential for preventing ulcers in a person with a complete spinal cord injury who relies on a wheelchair. When sensation is absent, tissue damage can occur without the person noticing, so a proactive routine is used to keep the buttocks and sacral area off pressure points. By performing a pressure-relief maneuver every 15 to 20 minutes, you briefly offload the ischial tuberosities and allow blood flow to return to the tissues, typically for about a minute. This schedule is more protective than waiting for signs of a sore, and it’s more reliable than acting only if the cushion is inadequate or spacing the reliefs to be much less frequent. Following this frequent, brief offloading helps maintain skin integrity and reduce the risk of pressure ulcers over time.

Regular pressure relief is essential for preventing ulcers in a person with a complete spinal cord injury who relies on a wheelchair. When sensation is absent, tissue damage can occur without the person noticing, so a proactive routine is used to keep the buttocks and sacral area off pressure points. By performing a pressure-relief maneuver every 15 to 20 minutes, you briefly offload the ischial tuberosities and allow blood flow to return to the tissues, typically for about a minute. This schedule is more protective than waiting for signs of a sore, and it’s more reliable than acting only if the cushion is inadequate or spacing the reliefs to be much less frequent. Following this frequent, brief offloading helps maintain skin integrity and reduce the risk of pressure ulcers over time.