Basic Wound Care Flashcards
The most common wounds that are
treated by a wound care Physical
Therapist are:
- Stage III, IV pressure ulcers (pressure injury).
- Diabetic wounds
- Chronic wounds
- Venous and/or arterial wounds
- Extremity wounds with edema
- Non-healing surgical wounds
What are the members of the wound care team?
- a physician
- nursing
- physical therapists
- registered dietitians
- case managers
- orthotics/prosthetists
- podiatrists
outer most layer formed by keratinocytes regenerates every 4-6 weeks protects against water loss and physical damage sensation
epidermis
Components of the Dermis layer
- collagen
- elastin fibers
- extracellular matrix
- blood/lymphatic vessels
- nerve endings
- hair follicles
- sebaceous/sweat glands
- fibroblasts
Components of the SubQ/Hypodermis layer
- adipose and connective tissue
- major blood/lymphatic vessels
- nerves
What are the functions of the skin?
Protection Excretion Sensory Perception Thermoregulation Metabolism Absorption
Which vitamin does the skin synthesize?
Vitamin D
Type of wound closure that involves a delayed primary closure. used in case of infection.
Tertiary Intention
Migration of cells over the wound edge, begins to
occur within 24 hours of injury.
Epithelialization
Formation of a new tissue and capillaries around the
wound edge-usually pink in color.
Granulation
Phase 1: Inflammation
- 1-5 days
- edema and necrosis
- initial vasoconstriction
- phagocytes cells to clean wound
What are some causes for abnormal inflammatory responses in wounds?
- Immunosuppressive medications
- Arterial Insufficiency
- Medical conditions that alter the immune response
Phase 2: Proliferation
- 3-20 days
- fibroblasts secrete collagen (type III)
- angiogenesis
- granulation
- epithelialization
Phase 3: Remodeling / Maturation
- 9 days to 2 years
- type III collagen converts to type I
- decreased capillaries
- scar tissue contracts and matures
Involves some degree of tissue loss, needs a second change to get it right. Formation of granulation tissue to fill in scar.
Secondary Intention
In the early inflammation stage
immediately following an injury, which
comes first? Vasoconstriction or Vasodilation?
Vasoconstriction
The development of new blood vessels
Angiogenesis
Type of wound that involves pain, swelling and discoloration. The skin is not broken.
Contusion
Mass of blood usually caused by a break in a blood vessel
Hematoma
Darkening of skin due to accumulation of iron-containing pigment. Common in venous ulcers
Hemosiderin staining
What should you evaluate in the Peri-wound area of a wound?
– Sensation
– Peripheral Pulses
– Skin temperature
– Dryness of surrounding tissue
Abnormal exudation that are signs of infection.
- seropurulent: cloudy, opaque, yellow or tan, thin watery
- Purulent: yellow or green, thick, viscous
Intrinsic factors that cause abnormal wound healing
– COPD-Hypoxemia – DM: loss of protective sensation – CA: Decreased Immune Function – Peripheral artery disease or Venous insufficiency
Medications that can cause poor or prolonged inflammatory response
anti-inflammatory immunosuppressive steroids anti-coagulants oral contraceptives
