Assessment and identification of risk factors, factors effecting wound healing

Question 1

Factors affecting skin integrity

Answer 1

• unbroken and healthy skin and mucus (first line of defense)
• resistance to injury of the skin and mucous membrane
• adequately nourished and hydrated body cells resistant to injury.
• adequate circulation

Question 2

factors placing a person at risk for skin alteration

Age:
children
infants
older adult

Answer 2

children younger than 2 - have thinner/weaker skin. increase risk of infection

Infant: skin & mucous membrane are easliy injured and subject to infection

older adults- have thin and easily damaged skin. lack of circulation and collagen, decrease in elasticity. increase risk for tissue damage.

Question 3

factors placing a person at risk for skin alteration

lifestyle

Answer 3

Homosexuality/multiple sex partners, drug abuse - high risk for infection (HIV, AIDS), Kaposi sarcoma {purple blotches}

occupation - high risk of skin cancer, if exposed to sun

body piercing - potential risk for bacterial and viral infections, scarring, nerve damage, tissue trauma or deformity.

Question 4

factors placing a person at risk for skin alteration

changes in health

Answer 4

dehydration or malnutrition - fluid, protein, and vitamin C intake is deficient, skin loses elasticity and becomes prone to breakdown

Question 5

factors placing a person at risk for skin alteration

illness

Answer 5

diabetes mellitus -
cuts and sores that do not heal, lesions on the lower extremities that ulcerate and become necrotic, and recurrent bacterial and fungal infections

Question 6

factors placing a person at risk for skin alteration

therapeutic measures

Answer 6

bedrest - could cause skin breakdown

casts - irritate skin

aquathermia unit - may macerate skin

medications - may cause allergic reaction

radiation therapy -
potential for erythema and dry/wet desquamation (loss of skin integrity).

Question 7

wound healing in the elderly

Answer 7

decrease dermal thickness
decline in collagen content
loss of elasticity

Question 8

true or false

elderly are more vulnerable to chronic wounds, like pressure, diabetic and ischemic ulcers as compared to younger adults

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Risks for Pressure Injury Development

Answer 9

Immobility
Impaired sensory perception or cognition
Decreased tissue perfusion
Decreased nutritional status
Friction, shear
Increased moisture
Age-related skin changes

Question 10

Psychological Effects of Wounds

Answer 10

pain, anxiety, fear, activities of daily living, and changes in body image.

Question 11

Obese people are more susceptible to

Answer 11

Skin injury, due to large amounts of subcutaneous and tissue fat (which has fewer blood vessels)

wound healing will be slow because fatty tissue is more difficult to suture, is more prone to infection, and takes longer to heal