Integumentary System Flashcards
Order of the Phases of Wound Healing
- Hemostasis/Coagulation (immediate)
- Inflammatory phase
- Proliferation/Epithelization phase
- Remodeling phase
Hemostasis/Coagulation (immediate)
- Forms clot & Platelets release PDGF
Inflammatory phase (0-5-10 days)
*Cardinal signs: Calor (heat), Rubor (redness), Tumor (swelling), Dolor (pain)
* Wound may sometimes get stuck here
* NEUTROPHILS and MACROPHAGES working
* Bacteria being eaten by PHAGOCYTOSIS
- re- epithelialization begins 24 hours at the wound borders (though not visually seen till next stage)
Proliferation/Epithelialization phase (3-20 days)
- May last for weeks to months
- GRANULATION tissue is stimulated by macrophages
- Growth factor release stimulates FIBROBLASTS
- Wound bed matrix is established
- ANGIOGENESIS is occurring
- New collagen is being synthesized
- Epithelialization starts to occur
- Later scar formation pattern occurs in basket weave pattern
- Epithelialization - resurfacing and closure
- Keratinocytes close wound
- Melanocytes give color
- Contracture and fibroplasia - tensile strength
- Epithelialization is clinical hallmark of healing
- Contact inhibition can cause epiboly (rolled edges)
Remodeling phase (day 9 on 2 yrs)
- Collagen becomes deposited intro matrix and organized
- After this phase wound has 80% of prewound strength (when first laid down only has ~15% strength)
- Phase can last 1-2 years
Hypertrophic
- Raised, Rigid, Red
- stays within the border
Keloid
- 3 R’s
- Grows out of defined area of injury
- If excised, will grow back
- mature scar: pale, flat, and pliable.
Healing by Intention (3 types)
Primary closure: sutures
- acute wounds with minimal tissue loss.
- smooth clean edges. Reapproximated with sutures, stables, or adhesive
- superficial partial-thickness wounds, such as abrasions or blisters also heal this way.
- minimal scarring and heal quickly
Secondary closure: edges can’t be approximated, granulation tissue filling in, scar tissue eminent
- close on their own without superficial closure
- Wound characteristics: significant tissue loss or necrosis, irregular or nonviable wound margins that can’t be reapproximated, infection or debris.
- Typically associated with pathology (DM, ischemic conditions, pressure damage, or inflammatory damage)
- Granulation fills wound bed
- Requires ongoing wound care
- Larger scar
Tertiary/Delayed primary closure: Combo of primary and secondary closure; Wound left open a few days then surgically closed
- Wounds at risk of developing complications such as sepsis or dehiscence
- Temporarily left open until risk factors have been alleviated…then closed by primary intention methods.
Dermis
- “true skin”
- well vascularized
- elastic, flexible, and tough
- includes sebaceous glands and arrector pili muscles
Epidermis
- avascular epidermis
- most superficial layer of skin
Where are nerve endings found on the skin?
Hypodermis
Which structure in the epidermis serves as a barrier against fluid, electrolyte, and chemical loss?
stratum corneum
The stratum corneum in the epidermis functions for protection from trauma and microbes, and serves as a barrier to prevent fluid, electrolyte, and chemical loss. The primary function of basal cells, Langerhans cells, and keratinocytes is for epidermal reproduction, immunity, and keratin synthesis respectively.
Which of the following inflammatory mediators is responsible for causing pain in an acute wound?
Prostaglandins
Prostaglandins promote local vasodilation that increases the permeability of local capillaries and induce pain. Prostaglandins are a part of the inflammation cascade following tissue injury.
The process by which epithelial cells die and produce a protective outer layer is called:
Keratinization
Keratinization refers to the development of or conversion to keratin. Keratinocytes are cells located in the epidermal layer that produce keratin, a strong protein that makes up the rigid structure of the skin, hair, and nails.
Arterial Insufficiency Ulcers General Recommendations for treatment
(What to do and not do)
Due to inadequate circulation of oxygenated blood (ischemia)… typically from atherosclerosis.
- Rest
- Limb protection
- Risk Reduction education
- Inspect legs and feet daily
- Avoid unnecessary leg elevation
- Avoid using heating pads or soaking feet in hot water
- wear appropriately sized shoes with clean, seamless socks
Venous Insufficiency Ulcers General Recommendations for treatment
from venous insufficiency occur secondary to impaired functioning of the venous system resulting in inadequate circulation and eventual tissue damage and ulceration.
- limb protection
- risk reduction education
- inspect legs and feet daily
- compression to control edema
- elevate legs above the heart when resting or sleeping
- attempt active exercise including frequent ROM
- wear appropriately sized shoes with clean, seamless socks
Neuropathic Ulcers General Recommendations for treatment
secondary complication associated with ischemia and neuropathy. Often associated with DM.
- limb protection
- risk reduction education
- inspect legs and feet daily
- inspect footwear for debris prior to donning
- wear appropriately sized off-loading footwear with clean, cushioned, seamless socks
Pressure Ulcers General Recommendations for treatment
prolonged or sustained pressure on tissue at levels greater than that of capillary pressure.
- repositioning every 2 hours in bed
- management of excess moisture
- off-loading with pressure relieving devices
- inspect skin daily for signs of pressure damage
- limit shear, traction, and fraction forces over fragile skin
Characteristics of Arterial Insufficiency Ulcers
- lower 1/3 of leg, toes, web spaces (distal toes, dorsal foot, lateral malleolus)
- Smooth edges, well defined (lacks granulation tissue; tend to deep)
- Minimal exudate
- Severe pain
- Diminished or absent pulses
- Normal edema
- Decreased skin temp
- Shiny, hair loss, yellow nails
- leg elevates increases pain
Characteristics of Venous Insufficiency Ulcers
- Proximal to medial malleolus
- Irregular shape and shallow
- Moderate to heavy exudate (wet wound)
- Mild to moderate pain
- Normal pulses
- Increased edema
- Normal skin temp
- flaking, dry skin; brownish discoloration (hemosiderin staining)
- Leg elevation lessens pain
What is a superficial wound and its characteristics
- A superficial wound causes trauma to the skin with the epidermis remaining intact,
- Such as with a non-blistering sunburn.
- A superficial wound will typically heal as part of the inflammatory process.
Partial-thickness wound characteristics
- A partial-thickness wound extends through the epidermis and possibly into, but not through, the dermis.
- Examples include abrasions, blisters, and skin tears.
- Typically heal by re-epithelialization or epidermal resurfacing depending on the depth of injury.
Full-thickness wound characteristics
- Wound extends through the dermis into deeper structures such as subcutaneous fat.
- Wounds deeper than 4 millimeters are typically considered full-thickness and heal by secondary intention.
Subcutaneous wound characteristics
- Extend through integumentary tissues and involve deeper structures such as subcutaneous fat, muscle, tendon or bone.
- Subcutaneous wounds typically require healing by secondary intention.
What are the stages of pressure injury staging?
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Deep Tissue Injury
Unstageable
Stage 1 Pressure Ulcer characteristics
Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin
* Intact skin
- non-blanchable erythema
- Sensation, temperature, or firmness may precede visual changes