Peri-Wound Description

Question 1

lipodermatosclerosis

Answer 1

hard, leathery thickening of the periwound skin that is common with venous insufficiency. Seen mostly on legs

Question 2

hemosiderin staining

Answer 2

brownish discoloration of pigmentation of lightly pigmented skin around ankle - mid tib/fib. Permanent discoloration of periwound made by hemosiderin and seen with venous leg ulcers

Question 3

edema

Answer 3

local or generalized
body contains excessive fluids
Certain types are categorized by presentation (venous insufficiency, lymphedema, inflammation)

Question 4

microvaricosities

Answer 4

varicose veins

Question 5

dermatitis

Answer 5

inflammatory conditions of the skin that could be caused by external skin irritants or hyper susceptibility . Often a fore-runner to a venous leg ulcer

Question 6

pallor

Answer 6

lack of color or paleness

could be due to anemia such as arterial insufficiency

Question 7

gangrene

Answer 7

necrosis or death of tissue, usually d/t absent or severely insufficient perfusion to the tissue (dry)
lacks vascular flow

Question 8

pain with palpation

Answer 8

arterial insuf: pain intermittent then progresses to pain at rest.
venous insuff: normally do no have pain, but complain of a constant ache when the extremity if in a dependent position

Question 9

decreased hair growth

Answer 9

changes in the skin, such as loss of hair over the foot and toes; thin, shiny skin, thickened, rigid nail bed are signs or arterial insufficiency

Question 10

hyperkeratosis (callus)

Answer 10

hypertrophied thickening of tissue to a circumscribed area usually around a bony prominence when a shearing force has occurred
seen with neuropathic wounds

Question 11

induration

Answer 11

area of palpably firm tissue usually found around the circumference of the wound/periwound border d/t edema, inflammation or granulation

Question 12

erythema

Answer 12

form of diffuse redness over the skin that is usually d/t the dilation of superficial capillaries secondary to inflammation, infection, or external forces (radiation, heat/cold)
If it looks “angry” = sign of infection

Question 13

maceration

Answer 13

softening of skin 2ndary to superhydration, seen after exposure to moisture for a period of time (moist dressing, etc) Skin becomes white and wrinkled
NOT good for healing, need to remove

Question 14

dehiscence

Answer 14

separation of a sutured or newly closed surgical wound

could be a poor prognosis to healing

Question 15

ecchymosis

Answer 15

bruise
subcutaneous purple/blue/black discoloration d/t bleeding under the skin
typically on a body prominence

Question 16

petechia

Answer 16

small purple/red spot on body d/t hemorrhage to the capillaries

Question 17

callus

Answer 17

thick hyperkeratotic tissue

Question 18

excoriation

Answer 18

tissue injury from mechanical, thermal or chemical means

ie: incontinence causing skin erosion

Question 19

scale

Answer 19

desiccated thin plates of cornified epithelial cells; resembles scales of a fish

Question 20

xerosis

Answer 20

dry skin

Question 21

epiboly

Answer 21

rolled or curled epithelium to a wound edge

body thinks it is healed so the wound doesn’t finish healing - needs to be surgically removed