How to Pronounce Pressure Ulcer
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Pressure Ulcer Pronunciation
PRESH-ur UL-ser
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
PRESH
stress here
ur UL
ser
3 syllables
What is Pressure Ulcer?
Pressure sores are areas of damaged skin caused by staying in one position for too long. They commonly form where your bones are close to your skin, such as your ...
Definition sourced from MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Questions About Pressure Ulcer
How do you pronounce 'pressure ulcer'?
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Say it like this: PRESH-ur UL-ser. The first word rhymes with 'mesher,' and the second word sounds like 'ulcer' in 'ulcer sore.' Put the stress on the first syllable of each word: PRESH-ur and UL-ser.
Which syllable gets the stress in 'pressure ulcer'?
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The stress falls on the first syllable of both words: PRESH-ur UL-ser. A common mistake is stressing the second syllable (pres-SURE), but the correct way emphasizes the beginning of each word.
How do you break 'pressure ulcer' into syllables?
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Pressure breaks into three syllables: PRESH-ur-uh. Ulcer breaks into two syllables: UL-ser. So the full term is: PRESH-ur-uh UL-ser.
What does the word 'pressure' mean in 'pressure ulcer'?
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In this term, 'pressure' refers to the weight or force pressing down on the skin and tissues. It's the same 'pressure' you use in everyday language, like the pressure of a tight shoe on your foot.
What does 'ulcer' mean?
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'Ulcer' is a general medical term for an open sore or break in the skin. You might hear it used in other contexts too, like 'stomach ulcer,' but here it specifically means a sore caused by pressure.
What are other names for a pressure ulcer?
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A pressure ulcer is also called a 'bedsore' (common, everyday term) or a 'decubitus ulcer' (say: dih-KYOO-bih-tus UL-ser, the medical/Latin name). All three terms mean the same thing.
How would you use 'pressure ulcer' in a sentence?
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Here's an example: 'The nurse checked the patient for signs of a pressure ulcer on the heel.' This shows the term being used naturally in a healthcare setting to describe a specific type of skin injury.
Is 'pressure ulcer' one word or two?
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It's two words: 'pressure' and 'ulcer.' You write them separately, not combined. Sometimes you'll see it written as 'pressure ulcer' or just called by one of its other names like 'bedsore.'
What's the abbreviation for pressure ulcer?
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The abbreviation is 'PU,' but many healthcare workers use the full term 'pressure ulcer' or prefer the older abbreviation 'DU' (for decubitus ulcer). Saying the full term is always clear and correct.

