What it means
Common bony prominences are the sacrum and tailbone, heels, hips, elbows, ankles, shoulder blades, knees and the back of the head. Pressure is concentrated on these areas when a person lies or sits still, so they are where pressure injuryPRESH-er IN-juh-reeDamage to the skin and the tissue beneath it from pressure, or pressure with shear, usually over a bony area or under a device.Full entry most often form.
For the nurse
Check these areas every shift, pad and float them (for example, heels off the bed on a pillow under the calves), and change the client's position regularly. Do not massage reddened areas.
At a glance
| Also written | bony prominences |
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Related terms
repositioning
Changing a client's body position on a regular schedule, or moving a device to a new place.
sacrum
The large, triangle-shaped bone at the base of the spine, between the two hip bones.
pressure injury
Damage to the skin and the tissue beneath it from pressure, or pressure with shear, usually over a bony area or under a device.