Areas of the body where the bone lies close to the skin and are at high risk for skin breakdown are called:

• A. Pressure Points
• B. Bony Prominences
• C. Joint Crests
• D. Soft Tissue Areas

Answer: (B)

Bony prominences are the areas where bone lies closest to the skin with little cushioning, making them the spots most at risk for skin breakdown when a person is immobile or under prolonged pressure. The pressure from lying or sitting can compress surface blood vessels over these bony points, reducing blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues, leading to ischemia and tissue damage if relief isn’t provided. Common examples include the sacrum, coccyx, ischial tuberosities, heels, elbows, back of the head, and greater trochanters. While “pressure points” is a general phrase used in caregiving, the precise anatomical term for these high-risk sites is bony prominences. Joint crests are just bony landmarks, not specifically defined as high-risk skin areas, and soft tissue areas don’t necessarily indicate the bone-proximity factor that drives breakdown risk.