How often should a resident be repositioned to prevent pressure injuries?

• A. Every 4 hours
• B. Every 2 hours
• C. Every hour
• D. Every 30 minutes

Answer: (B)

Regular repositioning relieves pressure on the skin and underlying tissues, allowing blood flow to return and reducing the risk of pressure injuries. For residents who are confined to bed, turning every two hours is the standard practice because it distributes pressure away from bony prominences like the heels, sacrum, and hips. Waiting longer than two hours increases the chance of tissue ischemia and breakdown, while turning more often—every hour or every 30 minutes—usually isn’t necessary for most bed-bound residents and can disrupt rest. So, the best approach is repositioning every two hours to balance pressure relief with rest.