What it means
Skin wrinkles form as the skin loses collagen, elastic fibers and fat with age, and form earlier with sun exposure and smoking. In bedside care, wrinkles in sheets, gowns or pads matter because they press into the skin and rub it, adding to the risk of pressure injuries.
For the nurse
Keep linens smooth, dry and free of wrinkles under a client who cannot move well, and check the skin over bony areas when you reposition them.
At a glance
| Also written | wrinkles |
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Related terms
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.