Inflammation, Wounds, and Pressure Ulcers part 1 Flashcards
What is inflammation?
response to cell injury
Is inflammation always present with infection?
yes
Is infection always present with inflammation?
No, not with trauma, surgery, etc.
When cells are injured what 3 things are made and why?
- Prostaglandins: PG potent vasodilators (increase blood flow)
- thromboxane (vasoconstrictor
- leukotrienes
- important for inflammatory response and healing
Arachidonic acid is what stimulates the inflammatory response (prostaglandins, thromboxane, and leukotrienes). What inhibits arachidonic acid?
inhibited by steroids
What do NSAIDS inhibit?
cyclooxygenase pathway (prostaglandins and thromboxane)
Fluid and white blood cells that move from circulation to site of injury?
exudate
What determines the nature and quality of the exudate?
severity of injury and tissue involvement
clear and watery.
serous
consists of large numbers of red blood cells and looks like blood.
Sanguineous drainage
is a mixture of serum and red blood cells. It is light pink to blood tinged.
Serosanguineous drainage
is made up of white blood cells, liquefied dead tissue debris, and both dead and live bacteria. thick, often has a musty or foul odor, and varies in color (such as dark yellow or green), depending on the causative organism.
Purulent drainage
When assessing exudate what should you chart?
type
amount
odor
What are the local manifestations of inflammation?
- heat- increased metabolism at inflammatory site
- loss of function: swelling and pain
- pain: change in pH, nerve stimulation by chemicals (histamines, prostaglandins). pressure from exudate
- redness: hyperemia from vasodilation
- swelling: fluid shift to interstitial space. Fluid exudate accumulation
What are attributes of systemic inflammation?
- increased WBC count
- malaise
- nausea
- anorexia
- increased pulse
- increased respiratory rate
- fever
