Leg Ulcers Flashcards
What is the most common ulcer type?
Venous (60-80%)
What complications can arise from leg ulcers?
Pain, sepsis, exudate, odour and impaired quality of life
What other types of leg ulcer are there?
Arterial, diabetic, vasculitic, malignant, hydrostatic
What are associations with venous leg ulcers?
Lipodermatosclerosis
Hyperpigmentation
Malleolus
What is slough?
a piece of dead tissue separated from surrounding living tissue
What are the ABPI guidelines? (?30 minute procedure?)
- 8-1.3 = normal
1. 5 = calcification
What bloods would you take with a leg ulcer?
FBC, LFT, U+E, CRP
How many layers of bandaging do you use?
4
What pressures of bandage are used?
40mmHg at ankle,
25mmHg below knee
- non adherent dressing, padded in a cone shape, changed weekly or as required
What could you put on with the dressings?
hydrocolloids: aquacel
Antibacterial: silver, iodine or maluka honey
What’s the differences between venous ulcer edges and arterial ulcer edges?
venous - shallow edge like a beach.
arterial - sharp, cliff like edges, as if they have been punched out
Where do venous ulcers normally develop?
around the malleoli
Where do diabetic and arterial normally occur?
usually pressure sites e.g. the heel
Where can skin cancer present itself?
ANYWHERE
Who can apply the pressure bandages?
trained staff only
