Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Physical Exam

  • All people with pressure injuries should have a physical exam that includes measurements of their height, weight, and vital signs; presence of pain; a head-to-toe skin assessment; and an assessment for edema, impaired sensory perception, contractures, scoliosis, and increased or decreased muscle tone, which can affect the person’s ability to position and sit.
  • Additional components of a physical exam should be guided by the person’s existing co-morbidities.
Clinical Management
Assessment and Management of Pressure Injuries for the Interprofessional Team, Third Edition
Point of Care Resources