Which term best describes injuries or wounds resulting from skin deterioration and shearing forces?

• A. Decubitus
• B. Bed sore
• C. Pressure injury
• D. Skin abrasion

Answer: (C)

The main idea is tissue damage caused by continuous pressure that reduces blood flow, often worsened by shear forces that slide skin against a surface. This combination leads to injuries in areas over bony prominences, which clinicians now call a pressure injury. That term precisely describes the cause and the type of damage, and it’s the current standard in practice. Older terms like decubitus or bed sore refer to the same condition but are less precise and not preferred today. A skin abrasion, by contrast, is a superficial scrape from friction and doesn’t inherently describe the pressure- and shear-driven injury pattern.