INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MEDICINE SECTION: DERMATOLOGY ISSN: 1755-7682 International Medical Society http://imedicalsociety.org 1 2016 Vol. 9 No. 159 doi: 10.3823/2030 © Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License This article is available at: www.intarchmed.com and www.medbrary.com Abstract Introduction: Pressure lesions are localized damage in skin and/or underlying soft tissue, usually over a bony prominence or related to a medical device or other device. In Intensive Care Units patients are critically susceptible to the development of lesions by pressure, for various reasons. Objective: To identify predisposing conditions and risk factors of pressure ulcers in patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit of a mid-sized general hospital in the Western region of the State of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil. Method: Nonparticipating observational study with documentary stage, of prospective longitudinal type, performed in ICU of adult kind of a General Hospital in the city of Mossoró-RN, Brazil. Data collection took place on alternate days during 43 days between May and June 2012. The research protocol was approved by the CEP/UERN under opinion No. 67606/12. Results: The intrinsic risk factors for the emergence of the most evident pressure injuries were decreased pain sensitivity, reduced tur- gor and elasticity, evidenced bony prominences and impaired physical mobility. Extrinsic risk factors were the pressure force on the body and forces of friction and shear. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disea- se, impaired motor skills and evidenced bony prominences, specifically in the sacral region, were statistically significant factors in association with the development of pressure injuries. Pressure Injuries: Predisposing Conditions and Risk Factors in Adult ICU ORIGINAL Francisca Patrícia Barreto de Carvalho 1 , Clélia Albino Simpson 2 , Lucídio Clebeson de Oliveira 1 , Francisco Rafael Ribeiro Soares 1 , Glauber Weder dos Santos Silva 2 , Romeika Carla Ferreira de Sena 2 , Fábio Claudiney da Costa Pereira 3 , Tássia Regine de Morais Alves 1 , Ana Maria Carvalho Pinheiro 4 , Francisco Arnoldo Nunes de Miranda 2 1 State University of Rio Grande do Norte. Mossoró, RN, Brazil. 2 Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Natal, RN, Brazil. 3 FACEX University Center. Natal, RN, Brazil. 4 Nova Esperança Nursing School. Mossoró, RN, Brazil. Contact information: Francisca Patrícia Barreto de Carvalho. Address: Street Pinto Martins, nº 1044, District Areia Preta. Natal/RN, Brazil. CEP 59014-060  patriciabarreto36@gmail.com