Unit 2 Key Terms

Question 1

Define approximated.

Answer 1

Referring to wound or incision edges that are close together.

Question 2

Define collagen.

Answer 2

A whitish protein found in connective tissue that adds strength to a wound.

Question 3

Define cyanosis.

Answer 3

Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of blood perfusion.

Question 4

Define dead space.

Answer 4

Cavity remaining in a wound.

Question 5

Define debridement.

Answer 5

Removal of dead tissue from a wound.

Question 6

Define dehiscence.

Answer 6

Separation or opening of wound layers.

Question 7

Define ecchymosis.

Answer 7

Discoloration of skin from blood in subcutaneous tissues; causes: trauma or fragility to vessels.

Question 8

Define erythema.

Answer 8

Redness or inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes.

Question 9

Define eschar.

Answer 9

Scab or dry crust that results from excoriated skin.

Question 10

Define evisceration.

Answer 10

Separation of wound layers with the protrusion of abdominal organs.

Question 11

Define excoriation.

Answer 11

Injury to the surface of the skin due to irritating substances, scratching or abrasions.

Question 12

Define exudate.

Answer 12

Fluid high in protein and white blood cells that seeps out of injured or inflamed tissues.

Question 13

Define fissure.

Answer 13

A crack like lesion of the skin.

Question 14

Define granulation.

Answer 14

Red, granular moist tissue, containing new blood vessels that appear during healing of an open wound.

Question 15

Define hematoma.

Answer 15

A collection of blood trapped in the tissue of the skin or an organ, resulting from trauma.

Question 16

Define hemostasis.

Answer 16

Termination of bleeding by mechanical or chemical means or by coagulation process.

Question 17

Define ischemia.

Answer 17

Lack of oxygen carrying blood to tissues.

Question 18

Define Keloid.

Answer 18

Excessive amount of connective tissue in scar tissue, causing a raised scar.

Question 19

Define maceration.

Answer 19

Skin that becomes abnormally soft and breaks down due to prolonged exposure to moisture.

Question 20

Define necrosis.

Answer 20

Death of tissues due to lack of blood supply.

Question 21

Define petechiae.

Answer 21

Pinpoint red areas in the skin.

Question 22

Define primary intention.

Answer 22

Healing that occurs in a wound in which the tissue surfaces are or have been approximated and there is minimal or no tissue loss; it is characterized by the formation of minimal granulation tissue and scarring.

Question 23

Define purulent.

Answer 23

Thick drainage from a wound, color varies depending on the bacteria that is present.

Question 24

Define pustule.

Answer 24

Elevated pus filled vesicle with circumscribed border.

Question 25

Define sanguineous.

Answer 25

Drainage that is fresh bleeding.

Question 26

Define scar.

Answer 26

Connective tissue that fills a wound area.

Question 27

Define secondary intention.

Answer 27

Wound closure in which edges are separated, granulation tissue fills gap, epithelium grows over granulation and large scar results.

Question 28

Define serosanguineous.

Answer 28

Drainage that is more plasma than blood, pink to light red in color

Question 29

Define serous.

Answer 29

Drainage that is clear, watery plasma.

Question 30

Define sinus tract.

Answer 30

A channel that extends under the skin from any part of the wound and involves an area that’s larger than the wound’s visible surface.

Question 31

Define slough.

Answer 31

To shed or cast off dead tissue.

Question 32

Define tertiary intention.

Answer 32

Irregular wound edges are separated and more extensive process of granulation than secondary intention. Closed eventually by suturing.

Question 33

Define wheal.

Answer 33

Elevated, often reddish area with an irregular border caused by diffuse fluid in tissue.