Types of Wounds

Question 1

Intentional

Answer 1

surgical incision

needle puncture

Question 2

Accidental/Traumatic

Answer 2

Contusion (hematoma/bruise)
Incision - cut from glass, knife, etc.
Laceration - jagged, irregular due to sharp blow to the body.
Puncture - from needle, pin, nail.
Abrasion (scrape)
Avulsion - flap tear, separation of tissue flap.

Question 3

Healing

Answer 3

occurs in phases

occurs from inside out

Question 4

Critical Would Healing Period

Answer 4

• 14 - 21 days (approx.) without further complication or patients who pick at the scabs.
• the time it takes for the would to become self supporting varies according to a number o factors:
• tissue layer, tension, condition of the patient, age, obesity, nutrition, body temp., physical condition.

Question 5

Drainage from wounds:

Answer 5

Sanguineous (syn.: plethoric) - bloody
Serosanguineous - Denoting an exudate or a discharge composed of or containing serum and also blood.
Serous - clear, yellowy fluid (blood serum).
Purulent - contains pus. May be yellow or green. Usually has a foul smell.

Question 6

Suture

Answer 6

process of joining 2 surfaces or edges together along a line as if by sewing (a fine thread or other material used surgically to close a would or join tissues).

Question 7

Sutures

Answer 7

Absorbable: absorbed by the body during the healing process.

Non-absorbable: removed when healing.

Question 8

Other Closures

Answer 8

1. Staples - usually stainless steel (staple remover is used to remove staples).
2. Steri-strips - used on areas under little stress or movement.
3. Butterfly bandages.

Question 9

Surgical Needles

Answer 9

May be straight or curved.
Needle point may be eyeless, which is most often used in the medical office, or it may have an eye and is threaded like a sewing needle.

Question 10

Assisting With Surgical Procedures

Answer 10

Set up a basin to receive contaminated instruments.
Remove used instruments from patient’s view as soon as procedure is completed.
Sanitize and sterilize equipment as son as possible to have them ready for the next procedure or emergency.
When sterilizing packs and instruments in an autoclave, label and date.

Question 11

Suture Material

Answer 11

Historically: gold, horsehair, silver, kangaroo tendons, linen, wire, silk, cotton, intestinal tissue.
Today: Steel, intestinal tissue, silk and synthetic materials.

Question 12

Why so many different types if suture materials?

Answer 12

Manufacturers continue to strive for the ideal suture material or the all purpose suture.

Question 13

Characteristics of the Ideal Suture

Answer 13

can be used in any procedure
handles comfortably and naturally
causes minimal reactivity
has high tensile strength retention
knots hold securely
absorbs after it has served its purpose

Question 14

Features by which sutures are judged

Answer 14

handling characteristics (silk is the standard)
ability to hold a knot
smooth passage through tissue
predictable performance (strength retention and absorption profile)

Question 15

Suture Size

Answer 15

measures the diameter of the material
the more zeros in the number the smaller the suture size.
5-0 is smaller than 2-0 (higher the #, the smaller the thread).

Question 16

Proper Set-up and Care of Sterile Instruments and Equipment

Answer 16

1. All instruments and other items used in office surgery, examination or treatment must be carefully cleaned before sterilizing or disinfecting.
2. Instruments that penetrate the skin must be kept sterile (e.g. suture kit).
3. Equipment or instruments that will not penetrate the skin need to be sterilized to remove contamination and then stored in a clean dry space.
4. Use only sterile forceps to handle sterile supplies.
5. Hold sterile forceps that are wet downwards in a vertical position.
6. Do not touch the sides of a container with sterile forceps.