In ICU patients, the incidence of pressure ulcers is reported as:

• A. 60% to 80%.
• B. 70% to 90%.
• C. 10% to 41%.
• D. 1% to 5%.

Answer: (C)

ICU patients have a high risk for pressure ulcers because prolonged immobility, often vasopressor use and poor perfusion, edema, incontinence, malnutrition, and multiple devices all contribute to skin breakdown. Because of these factors, the incidence reported in the literature typically falls in a wide but moderate range, about 10% to 41%. This spread reflects the different ways studies screen for ulcers, whether ulcers present on admission are counted, and how long patients are followed in the ICU. Very high ranges (60%–90%) usually come from specific settings or study designs that aren’t representative of all ICUs, while very low ranges (1%–5%) don’t capture the substantial risk seen in critical care. So, 10% to 41% is the best-supported estimate for ICU incidence.