Tissue Integrity Flashcards
A skin disorder where bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic agents are the cause
Infectious
The three layers of the skin:
Epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue
Epidermis – outermost layer
Dermis – second layer; deeper than epidermis
Subcutaneous tissue – also known as the hypodermis; deepest layer, beneath the dermis
Skin disorder caused by skin cancers
Neoplastic
Skin disorder usually caused by a path allergy such as acne, burn, or dermatitis
Inflammatory
An intentional wound usually occurs during ___________.
Surgery
_____________ wounds occur by accident.
Unintentional
A _________ skin lesion occurs on previously healthy skin.
Primary
What is a secondary skin lesion?
Results from a change in a primary lesion
Wound depth that involves the dermis and epidermis; heals by regeneration (naturally)
Partial thickness
Wound depth that involves the dermis, epidermis, subcutaneous fat, and in some cases, muscle and bone; connective tissue repair is necessary (surgery)
Full thickness
What are the 4 terms used to describe a wound?
- Clean
- Clean-contaminated
- Contaminated
- Dirty or infected
When describing a wound what would classify a wound as a “clean” wound?
No infection present; closed. Nothing open, an example of this would be a hematoma or a bruise.
When describing a wound what would classify it as clean-contaminated?
This would be a surgical incision; no infection present; these are intentional wounds. Only contaminated because of break in the skin.
When describing a wound what would classify it as a contaminated wound?
Can be intentional or unintentional; open; inflammation. An example would be a break in sterile technique during surgery but they continue with procedure. Another example of this would be if you’re walking down the street and cut your foot on glass, until there’s an infection it is just a contaminated wound.
When describing a wound what would classify it as a dirty or infected wound?
Infection is noted; dead tissue is present; may have purulent drainage (pus)
The _______ system and the skin are intricately linked through their roles as the protectors of the body.
Immune
Impaired tissue integrity can lead to immune response. Conversely, immune responses such as allergic reactions and inflammation can lead to issues with tissue integrity.
What are the three phases of wound healing?
Inflammatory phase, proliferative phase, and maturation phase
When a client experiences physical symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, warm to touch, or possible fever what phase of wound is this?
Inflammatory phase- last 3 to 6 days after injury, bleeding is ceased, fibrin begins to form, scab begins to surface, blood supply increases to area
During _________ phase of wound healing collagen is produced to strengthen wound, capillaries spread wound bed increasing blood supply, granulation tissue forms, scab covers wound bed. (Starts itching)
Proliferation phase (from day 3-4 of injury to up to 21 days)
Maturation phase of wound healing
Also called remodeling phase, healing of the scar: often occurs at day 21 of injury and can last 1 to 2 years, collagen fibers re-organize themselves into a structure, wound is remodeled and contracted, scar strengthens.
A break in the skin that can be superficial or deep; examples are an abrasion, laceration, or puncture
Open wound
Injury with no break in the skin; examples are contusion and ecchymosis; may be caused by a blow or other type of trauma
Closed wound
Steps of wound assessment
- Inspect wound and gently palpate surrounding area regularly
- Note presence and characteristics of wound drainage
- Observe for signs of infection: redness, swelling, increased tenderness, or disruption of wound edges; note body temperature and white blood cell count as other indicators
- Measurements
- Count all sutures or staples
How do you document wound measurements?
Size – length X width X diameter
Depth – using sterile cotton swab
Tunneling/undermining– Using sterile cotton swab, use clock as a frame of reference
COCA is used to document observations of a wound, what does COCA stand for?
C– Color of wound bed and drainage
O– Odor (determine after cleaning! And described as foul or none)
C– Consistency of the drainage (thin or thick-clots)
A– Amount of drainage (scant, small, large, copious)
Complications that affect wound healing
Hemorrhage, infection, dehiscence, evisceration
Noted by redness, swelling, heat, and pain at site; purulent exudate maybe noted
Complications that affect wound healing: Infection
Client may be anorexic, nauseous, febrile, and have chills; healthcare provider will order a wound culture, and antibiotics will be administered after culture is obtained
Accidental reopening of suture line (usually abdominal, but could occur with any wound) with tissue separation under wound
Complications that affect wound healing: Dehiscence
Medical emergency! Results from infected suture line or factors that impede wound healing; clients often “feel something giving way”; place client in bed with head of bed low to eliminate gravity and with knees bent to decrease pool on suture line; cover wound with large, sterile, wet Celine dressings; notify surgeon immediately because repair of surgical site is necessary