Exam 1 Flashcards
What does it mean that the patient has tight, hairless, and shiny skin starting at mid shin level and extending to the toes?
Arterial insufficiency
When does arterial insufficiency occur?
Occurs when the blood flow in the arteries is not sufficient to meet the needs of the skin, muscles, and
nerves.
Leads to an arterial ulcer
What causes arterial insufficiency?
Cholesterol deposits, blood clots that obstruct blood flow, or damaged, diseased, or weak vessels
What is a C & S test?
Culture and Sensitivity test
Culture is a done to find out what kind of organism (usually bacteria) is causing an illness or infection
Sensitivity test checks to see what kind of medicine, such as an antibiotic, will work best to treat the illness or infection
Why is a C & S test important?
To select the best medicine to treat the illness or infection
How would you test for light touch?
Use a brush, cotton ball, monofilament
How would you test for pressure?
Use blunt end of your finger or thumb and press into patient’s skin
How would you test for pain?
neurological pin, paper clip, or safety pin
What nerve endings are responsible for carrying sensations of touch, pressure, and temperature?
Free nerve endings
If a patient has low levels of albumin would could this mean?
Could signal that there is inflammation, shock, or malnutrition
What are some ways to apply compression therapy?
Static compression
Intermittent pneumatic compression pumps
Single chamber, sequential multi-chamber devices
Compression bandages and garments
What does a compression application assist with?
Laying down of collagen in organized manner
Controlling scarring and preventing keloids
Reshaping of residual limb following amputation (stump wrapping)
What are some indications for compression?
Chronic edema
Lymphedema
Prevention of DVT
Stabilization of wound bed
What causes edema?
Imbalance in hydrostatic forces
Improper diet, reduced fluid intake
Trauma, burns, infection
Prolonged sitting and reduced air pressure long distance travel
Pregnancy
Chronic medical conditions ie- CHF, renal disease, diabetes
Venous insufficiency
What causes lymphedema?
Chronic infections- filariasis
Surgery that damages lymphatic vessels or nodes
Decreased activity
Reduced plasma proteins
Congenital malformation of lymphatic system
What may cause the formation of a thrombus in high risk individuals?
Immobilization causes stasis of blood flow, pooling of fluids in interstitial tissues and formation of thrombus
Compression is effective as __________.
Anti-coagulant medications
How can compression assist w/ venous stasis ulcers?
Normalization of venous circulation
Reduced venous pooling and reflux
Improve tissue oxygenation
Altered white cell adhesion and reduced edema
Which type of compression is effective in healing venous stasis ulcers?
Multi-layered compression
Would you use compression with arterial insufficiency ulcers?
NO compression may further compromise arterial circulation
What are contraindications for compression use?
Heart failure or pulmonary edema
Recent or acute DV T, thrombophlebitis or pulmonary embolism
Obstructed lymphatic or venous return
Severe PAD or ulcers resulting from arterial insufficiency
ABI .8 – nml compression (30-40mmHG)
ABI btw .5 and .8 – reduce compression levels (23-37 mmHG)
Acute, local skin infection
Significant hypoproteinemia (protein levels <2gm/dL)
Acute fracture or trauma
Arterial revascularization
Neuropathy (CAUTION-patient may not recognize ischemia)
Impaired sensation or mentation
Uncontrolled hypertension
Cancer
Stroke or significant cerebrovascular insufficiency
Superficial peripheral nerves
List the application techniques for compression bandaging?
Long stretch Short stretch Unna’s boot Multilayered bandage system (Profore) Anti-embolism stockings Fitted compression garments Velcro-closure devices Intermittent pneumatic compression pump
Describe a complete decongestive therapy program for lymphedema?
Skin and nail care
Lymphedema massage
Compression garment
Active and light resisted exercise
Use of intermittent pneumatic compression??
Lower pressures may be safer and more effective for the treatment of lymphedema – 30 mmHG – on the low end of the UE range or 40 mmHG on the low end of the LE range
What interventions would you use with pre-prosthetic patients?
Residual limb shaping
Ther ex – focus on strength, endurance, balance. Stretching for areas that may develop contracture, eg. hip and knee flexors
Transfer and gait training
Functional activity training
What is the most common type of vascular ulcer?
Venous ulcers
*Generally have the best prognosis
Where is peripheral vascular insufficiency most common?
In the distal LE
What may Lower extremity vascular disease (LEVD) cause?
Pain, tissue loss, and changes in appearance and function
What is peripheral insufficiency?
Inadequate return of venous blood from periphery
Generally caused by poor venous valve function
What percentage of people over the age of 66 have lower extremity arterial disease?
30%
*At any given time, one person in every 1000 in the United States has an unhealed venous ulcer
Lower extremity ulcers may be caused by _______, _______ , or ______.
Arterial insufficiency, venous insufficiency, or mixed vascular disease
What is arterial insufficiency?
Lack of sufficient blood flow in arteries to the extremities
What are causes of arterial insufficiency?
Cholesterol deposits (atherosclerosis) or clots Damaged, diseased, or weak vessels
What are the 3 layers of arteries?
tunica intima
tunica media
tunica adventitia
Describe the vascular anatomy of arteries?
Elastic, strong, muscular contractile vessels that convey blood from the heart to the periphery
How is normal venous function characterized?
High standing/ resting pressures
Low walking pressures
Deep veins of the legs are surrounded by skeletal muscles that contract and relax during ambulation and other activities
Describe venous blood flow?
from the periphery back to the heart
What causes 90% of arterial problems in the legs?
Atherosclerosis
What are risk factors for arterial ulcers?
Smoking Diabetes Hyperlipidemia Hypertension Obesity Physical inactivity Male gender Advanced age Strong family history
Arterial ulcers do not heal unless tissue ______ is restored.
perfusion
What percentage of patients w/ a venous ulcer have some degree of coexisting arterial disease?
21% to 25%
What are risk factors for venous vascular ulcers?
Thrombophilia DVT Trauma Obesity Sedentary lifestyle and occupation Advanced age High # of pregnancies Varicose veisn Family history of venous disease
What is ABI and what does it mean?
Ankle-Brachial index
is the ratio of the systolic pressure in the ankle relative to the systolic pressure in the brachial artery in the arm
What is the Toe-Brachial index?
substituting the systolic pressure in the great or second toe for the ankle pressure
What are musculoskeletal tests and measures for vascular ulcers?
ROM and muscle performance is assessed
What are neuromuscular tests and measure for vascular ulcers?
The Six P's Pain Pulselessness Pallor Poikilothermy (body temp that varies w/ environmental temp) Paresthesia Paralysis
What are cardiopulmonary tests and measures of vascular ulcers?
Examine circulation- color and temp of involved area
Palpation of LE pulse sites
ABI & TBI readings
Transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen measurement
Venous and capillary refill time
What does it mean if venous filling time is faster than normal?
It may indicate venous insufficiency
Retrograde flow will cause veins to fill more rapidly
What may a more than 3 second delay in capillary refill indicate?
Arterial insufficiency
List the indicators of arterial insufficiency?
trophic changes, such as thickened toenails, loss or thinning of hair, and shiny skin and absent or diminished pulses along with a low ABI and TBI
What are the integumentary tests and measures?
wound location; dimensions
wound bed characteristics, appearance, and color; drainage; undermining, tracts, or tunnels; and the status of the wound edges
What are other indicators of venous insufficiency?
lower extremity edema, hemosiderosis, venous dermatitis, ankle flare, and lipodermatosclerosis
When is culturing of the wound bed warranted?
Wound fails to heal There is deterioration Spreading erythema Increase in the amount of drainage Onset of purulent drainage Increasing pain Increased odor
If a patient has poor calf muscle function what would this impair?
It would impair the function of the calf muscle pump thus reducing peripheral venous return
What determines the patient’s prognosis for healing from a vascular ulcer?
The type and severity of the vascular compromise
What percent of chronic wounds are associated with malignancy
33%
Which preferred practice patterns can these wounds be classified in?
7A 7B 7C 7D 7E
Which preferred practice pattern refers to Impaired integumentary integrity associated with partial-thickness skin involvement and scar formation ?
7C
This preferred practice pattern refers to Primary prevention/risk reduction for integumentary disorders?
7A
Which preferred practice pattern refers to Impaired integumentary integrity associated with skin involvement extending into fascia, muscle, or bone and scar formation?
7E
Impaired integumentary integrity associated with skin involvement extending into fascia, muscle, or bone and scar formation is which preferred practice pattern?
7B
This preferred practice pattern refers to Impaired integumentary integrity associated with full-thickness skin involvement and scar formation?
7D
What are the priorities in wound management intervention?
Determining and correcting etiological factors
Addressing systemic factors
Providing appropriate topical therapy
What determines the interventions used for patients w/ arterial ulcers and LE arterial disease?
Based on the severity, stage, and symptoms of arterial disease; patient’s general medical status; goals of therapy; and expected outcome or prognosis
What type of dressing would you use for arterial ulcers/ LE arterial disease?
Nonadherent dressings
*this type of dressing keeps the wound moist
When would you perform a debridement of arterial ulcers?
only if there is adequate perfusion or when the wound is infected
What is the primary focus of interventions for arterial ulcers/ LE arterial disease?
Increase blood flow
Diminish pain
What is the most critical component for patients with venous insufficiency with or w/o ulceration?
Compression
Which type of compression has been shown to accelerate the healing of venous ulcers?
Static elastic compression
What is a contraindication for ALL forms of compression?
Symptomatic heart failure and patients with a thrombus
Why would you use a intermittent pneumatic compression pump?
To provide additional dynamic compression beyond static compression
What is the most common surgical option for venous ulcers?
Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS)
What interventions should you use for patient’s w/ venous ulcers?
Education Debridement Dressings Skin substitutes—bioengineered skin equivalents Exercise, gait training, and positioning Pain management Ultrasound and electrotherapy Nutrition Surgical options - most common is subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS)
What surgical options would you use for patients with arterial ulcers?
revascularization, debridement, amputation
What interventions would you use for patients w/ arterial ulcers/ LE arterial disease?
Pain management Exercise and activity Electrotherapy Intermittent pneumatic (dynamic) compression Hyperbaric oxygen therapy Nutrition Surgical options - revascularization, debridement, amputation Education
When you not apply compression for venous and arterial disease?
Compression therapy should not be instituted if the ABI is less than 0.5
When you should avoid interventions in patients w/ venous and arterial disease?
If the patient has moderate arterial insufficiency and there is edema caused by venous insufficiency or dependent positioning, a trial of modified- or low-pressure compression of 23-30 mm Hg at the ankle may be used
Which of the following are risk factors for pressure ulcer formation? A. Friction B. Shear C. Pressure D. Moisture E. All of the above
E. all of the above
During the proliferation phase of healing, which cells are responsible for producing the collagen that forms connective tissue?
Fibroblasts
Tissue anoxia and resulting cell death can occur if the external pressure is greater than the capillary closing pressure. What is capillary closing pressure?
Capillary closing pressure is defined as the pressure that occludes the smallest blood vessels
How does moisture from urinary incontinence contributes to pressure ulcer formation?
Changing the pH of the skin
Increasing bacterial load of an existing skin lesion
Increasing tissue destruction from shear and friction
Corticosteroids can interfere with wound healing by which mechanism?
Interfering with cellular and chemical activity responsible for the inflammatory response to injury
Thick necrotic drainage often accompanied by a foul odor is termed?
Purulence
The fan-shaped subcutaneous wound extension that is the result of destruction of the connective tissue between the dermis and subcutaneous tissue is termed?
Undermining
Alleviating causative factors by altering seating and bed surfaces, protecting the skin, and frequently changing the patient’s position are part of what?
Standard precautions of care for all pressure ulcers
A stage IV sacral ulcer has a large amount of necrotic tissue and a minimum-moderate amount of exudate on the old dressings. The patient has no fever, chills, or other signs of systemic infection. The most appropriate adjunct modality to facilitate wound healing at this point would be?
Pulsed lavage w/ suction
Vacuum-assisted closure facilitates wound healing by which mechanisms?
Reducing the bacterial load.
Effectively managing exudates and thereby preventing further periwound skin damage.
Increasing the amount of granulation tissue in the wound bed.
What is a noninvasive test therapists may use to screen for lower extremity arterial compromise?
Ankle brachial index
How much pressure is considered “standard” for compression to treat venous insufficiency?
30 to 40 mm Hg
Infection may NOT be obvious in patients with arterial compromise because of which of?
Reduce perfusion
Successful treatment of leg ulcers requires attention to?
Adequate blood flow
Prevention of infection
Controlling systemic factors
The most important aspect of venous ulcer intervention is?
Compression therapy
What is the ABI value associated with lower extremity intermittent claudication?
0.5
Venous ulcers tend to be ____ and ___?
Shallow and wet
Leg pain that increases with lower extremity elevation is associated with?
Arterial insufficiency
Venous insufficiency may be a complication for?
A seated occupation
Valvular incompetence
Obesity
What is the most common cause of venous ulcer recurrence?
Nonadherence to compression therapy
Treatment of SEVERE arterial insufficiency usually involves?
Surgical intervention
What are neuropathic ulcers assoicated with?
Sensory and autonomic neuropathies
Poorly fitting shoes with inadequate distribution of pressure during the gait cycle
Diabetes
What is Charcot foot?
Collapse of the foot arch resulting in a rocker sole
What can ROM limitations in a diabetic patient’s feet cause?
ROM limitations may cause abnormal peak pressures during gait and thereby contribute to ulcer formation
What type of patient is at highest risk for neuropathic ulcers?
Peripheral neuropathy w/ loss of sensation
Where to neuropathic ulcers usually occur?
- On the distal digits
- On the weight-bearing surfaces of the foot
- On the dorsal IP joints
What type of exercise is appropriate for a patient with a neuropathic ulcer?
Bicycle
What is the purpose of any off-loading device for a patient with a neuropathic ulcer?
To distribute the plantar foot pressure and reduce stress at the wound site
What should you inspect in patients w/ neuropathic foot ulcers?
Skin
Nails
Shoes and socks
What should instructions for a patient w/ neuropathic ulcers include?
Foot and skin protection
How do partial thickness burns differ from superficial burns?
Partial thickness burns affect the dermis, and superficial burns affect the epidermis
What would you expect to happen during the first few weeks after a full thickness burn injury?
patient will be treated with intravenous fluids, wound care, and physical therapy and be scheduled for skin grafting surgery.
What is the most likely cause of weakness in a 53 y/o patient 2 weeks following a 22% total body surface area (TBSA) burn injury?
Disuse and increased catabolism secondary to the burn injury
What is a common etiology of a burn injury?
Flame
Chemical
Contact
Scald
In what position should a patient’s shoulder rest after an axillary burn?
90 to 110 degrees of shoulder abduction with slight horizontal flexion