OSCE Test

Pressure area assessment after a hip fracture
NMC OSCE practice station

Risk assessment · 1 min to read · 10 min to perform

Try a real conversation · NMC OSCEAI practice

Gwen Pritchard, aged 84, was admitted three days ago with a hip fracture.

Gwen PritchardI hope I am not any trouble, dear.

Free · no sign-up · uses your one free station

The task

You are the nurse on an orthopaedic ward. Gwen Pritchard, aged 84, was admitted three days ago with a hip fracture. Her surgery has been delayed for medical reasons. A healthcare assistant is available. Introduce yourself, explain what you will do and ask her consent. Carry out a pressure area assessment, using your usual risk assessment approach. Record your findings and plan on the form provided and say what care you would put in place.

What this station tests

  • Press red areas: redness that does not blanch is a category 1 pressure ulcer even when the skin is intact.
  • A risk tool supports, but does not replace, clinical judgement and looking at both heels and the sacrum.
  • Base repositioning on the person's skin, comfort and surface, at least every 4 hours if at high risk, and give pain relief first.
  • Moisture, poor nutrition and gaps in repositioning are risks you can change today.
  • Report and record a new pressure ulcer and review it within the shift.

Sources for the clinical content

An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.

About the NMC OSCE →