Care complications are common conditions which affect residents in care homes and often arise from risks associated with their illness. They can be serious and affect the health and quality of life of residents. It is important that nurses are able to assess an individual’s risk of developing complications of care, and determine appropriate prevention and treatment measures. This article discusses three common care complications for residents in care homes: pressure ulcers, malnutrition and falls. Assessment tools commonly used to identify these conditions are discussed, as well as the use of clinical reasoning to assist nurses in implementing appropriate care. Nurses have a central role in risk assessment, identifying problems, planning interventions and monitoring complications of care.