Chapter 20 Terms

Question 1

Abraison

Answer 1

The most common type of open wound.

Characterized by skin that has been rubbed or scraped away.

Question 2

Amputation

Answer 2

The complete removal or severing of an external body part.

Question 3

Avulsion

Answer 3

An injury in which a portion of the skin, and sometimes other soft tissue, is partially or completely torn away.

Question 4

Burn

Answer 4

An injury to the skin or other body tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation.

Question 5

Chemical burn

Answer 5

A burn caused by strong, caustic chemicals damaging the skin.

Question 6

Closed wound

Answer 6

A wound in which soft tissue damage occurs beneath the skin and the skin is not broken.

Question 7

Compartment syndrome

Answer 7

Condition in which there is swelling and an increase of pressure within a limited space that presses on and compromises blood vessels, nerves and tendons that run through that limited space.
Usually involves the leg, forearm, thigh, shoulder or butt.

Question 8

Critical burn

Answer 8

Any burn that is potentially life-threatening, disabling or disfiguring.
A burn requiring advanced medical care.

Question 9

Crush injury

Answer 9

An injury to a body part, often an extremity, caused by a high degree of pressure.
May result in serious damage to underlying tissues and cause bleeding, bruising, fracture, laceration and compartment syndrome.

Question 10

Dermis

Answer 10

The deeper layer of the skin.

Contains the nerves, sweat glands, oil glands, and blood vessels.

Question 11

Electrical burn

Answer 11

A burn caused by contact with an electrical source, which allows an electrical current to pass through the body.

Question 12

Epidermis

Answer 12

The outer layer of the skin.

Provides a barrier to bacteria and other organisms that can cause infection.

Question 13

Full-thickness burn

Answer 13

A burn injury involving all layers of the skin and underlying tissues.
Skin may be brown or charred, and underlying tissues may appear white.
Also referred to as 3rd degree burn.

Question 14

Hypodermis

Answer 14

A deeper layer of skin, located below the epidermis, that contains fat, blood vessels and connective tissue.

Question 15

Laceration

Answer 15

A cute, usually from a sharp object, that can have either jagged or smooth edges.

Question 16

Open wound

Answer 16

A wound resulting in a break i the skin’s surface.

Question 17

Partial thickness burn

Answer 17

A burn injury involving the epidermis and dermis.
Characterized by red, wet skin and blisters.
Also referred to as a 2nd degree burn.

Question 18

Puncture/penetration

Answer 18

A type of wound that results when the skin is pierced with a pointed object.

Question 19

Radiation burn

Answer 19

A burn caused by exposure to radiation, either nuclear (e.g. radiation therapy) or solar (radiation from the sun).

Question 20

Rule of nines

Answer 20

A method for estimating the extent of a burn.
Divides the body into 11 surface areas, each of which comprises approximately 9% of the body, plus the genitals, which are approximately 1%.

Question 21

Soft tissues

Answer 21

Body structures that include the layers of skin, fat and muscles.

Question 22

Superficial burn

Answer 22

A burn injury involving only the top layer of skin, characterized by red, dry skin.
Also referred to as a 1st degree burn.

Question 23

Wound

Answer 23

An injury to the soft tissues.