Skin Integrity and Wound Care Flashcards
Exam 3
What are the three main structures of the skin?
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Subcutaneous
Epidermis
Protective waterproof layer of keratin
How are the cells of the Epidermis?
Cells have no blood vessels of their own
Regenerates easily and quickly
Dermis
Elastic tissue made primarily of collagen
What is the Dermis made up of?
Nerves, hair follicles, glands, immune cells, and blood vessels
Subcutaneous
Anchors the skin layers to underlying tissues
Functions of the Skin:
- Protection
- Body temp regulation
- Psychosocial
- Sensation
- Vitamin D production
- Immunologic
- Absorption
- Elimination
Cross section of Normal Skin
Slide 4
What are factors affecting the skin
- Unbroken and healthy skin and mucous membranes
- Resistance to injury is affected by age
- Adequately nourished and hydrated body cells
- Adequate circulation
What does unbroken and health skin and mucous membranes do?
Unbroken and healthy skin and mucous membranes defend against harmful agents
Resistance to injury of skin is affected by?
Resistance to injury is affected by age, amount of underlying tissues, and illness
What does adequately nourished and hydrated body cells do?
Adequately nourished and hydrated body cells are resistant to injury
What is adequate circulation of skin necessary for?
Adequate circulation is necessary to maintain cell life
In children 2 years and younger, how does the skin compare to adults?
In children younger than 2 years, the skin is thinner and weaker than it is in adults
How is an infant’s skin? How is a child’s skin?
An infant’s skin and mucous membranes are easily injured and subject to infection;
a child’s skin becomes increasingly resistant to injury and infection
When does the structure of skin change?
The structure of the skin changes as a person ages; the maturation of epidermal cells is prolonged, leading to thin, easily damaged skin
How is the skin of older adults?
Older adults: circulation and collagen formation are impaired, leading to decreased elasticity and increased risk for tissue damage from pressure
Causes of skin alterations
- Very thin and very obese people are more susceptible to skin injury
- Fluid loss during illness causes dehydration and predisposes skin to breakdown
- Jaundice
- Diseases of the skin, such as eczema and psoriasis, may cause lesions that require special care
What does Jaundice do to the skin?
Jaundice causes yellowish, itchy skin
Types of wounds?
- Intentional (surgical) or unintentional (traumatic)
- Neuropathic or vascular
- Pressure related
- Open or closed
- Acute or chronic
- Partial thickness, full thickness, complex
Wound terminology
Incision
Contusion
Abrasion
Laceration
Puncture
Penetrating
Avulsion
Chemical
Thermal
Irradiation
Pressure ulcers
Venous ulcers
Arterial ulcers
Diabetic ulcers
What is the first line of defense against microorganisms?
Intact skin is the first line of defense against microorganisms
What is used in caring for a wound?
Careful hand hygiene is used in caring for a wound
How does the body respond to trauma?
The body responds systematically to trauma of any of its parts
What is essential for normal body response to injury?
An adequate blood supply is essential for normal body response to injury
How is normal healing promoted?
Normal healing is promoted when the wound is free of foreign material
What affects wound healing?
The extent of damage and the person’s state of health affect wound healing
How can response to wound be more effective?
Response to wound is more effective if proper nutrition is maintained
What are the phases of wound healing?
- Hemostasis
- Inflammatory
- Proliferation
- Maturation
Hemostasis- when does it occur?
Occurs immediately after initial injury
What occurs during hemostasis?
Involved blood vessels constrict and blood clotting begins
Exudate is formed, causing swelling and pain
Increased perfusion results in heat and redness
Platelets stimulate other cells to migrate to the
injury to participate in other phases of healing
Inflammatory Phase- when does it occur?
Follows hemostasis and lasts about 2 to 3 days
Inflammatory Phase- what occurs?
White blood cells, predominantly leukocytes and macrophages, move to the wound
Macrophages enter the wound area and remain for an extended period. They ingest debris and release growth factors that attract fibroblasts to fill in the wound
Exudate is formed and accumulates, causing pain, redness, and swelling at the site of injury
The patient has a generalized body response
Proliferation Phase- how long does it occur?
Lasts for several weeks
Proliferation Phase- what occurs?
New tissue is built to fill the wound space through the action of fibroblasts
Capillaries grow across the wound
A thin layer of epithelial cells forms across the wound
Granulation tissue forms a foundation for scar tissue development
Maturation Phase- when does it occur?
begins about 3 weeks after the injury, possibly continuing for months or years
Maturation Phase- what occurs?
Collagen is remodeled
New collagen tissue is deposited, which compresses the blood vessels in the wound, causing a scar