THE INFLUENCE OF HIGH-PROTEIN ENTERAL NUTRITION ON THE PREVENTION AND HEALING OF PRESSURE INJURIES IN ELDERLY PATIENTS SEDATED IN THE ICU

Abstract

Introduction: Pressure injuries (PUs) are a serious health problem in critically ill patients, especially sedated elderly patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), due to immobility, physiological fragility, and associated comorbidities. Inadequate nutritional status compromises wound healing and skin integrity, making high-protein enteral nutrition an effective strategy for preventing and recovering from these injuries. Objective: To analyze the influence of nutritional therapy on the prevention and healing of PUs in hospitalized patients, highlighting the importance of nursing staff interventions. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review conducted in SciELO, Google Scholar, and BVS databases, including articles published between 2019 and 2025, in Portuguese, that address the relationship between high-protein enteral nutrition and PUs.