week 9 : tissue integrity Flashcards
what concepts connect to tissue integrity?
nutrition
perfusion
gas exchange
elimination
thermoregulation
fluids and electrolytes
infection
pain
sensory perception
mobility
what is the major difference between young and old skin
subcut declines
fewer langerhans cells - related to immune response
thinner epidermis
flatter basement membrane
fewer melanocytes
diminished dermal blood supply
age related changes to the epidermis
thins - bruising increases
T cell function declines - increase risk for herpes and herpes simplex
Increase in skin renewal time and decrease in turnover of epidermal replacement - inflammatory response takes longer
Decrease in melanocytes and concentrated areas of melanocytes (lentigines and seborrheic keratoses)
age related changes to dermis
Dermis
◦ Thinner
◦ Provides a supportive layer of connective tissue made of collagen
◦ Collagen synthesis decreases
Decreased blood vessel
Skin temperature increases fragments
◦ Elastin thickens and
◦ Dermis supports hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands, nerve fibers, muscles and blood vessels
what are the age related changes related to hypodermis?
Fat distribution changes- layer of fat atrophies in some areas (hands, face, feet)
◦ Nails- slower growth, nails become thinner, fragile, brittle and more prone to splitting, more opaque
◦ Changes in hair colour- quality and distribution
◦ Reduced efficiency of sweat (eccrine) glands
◦ Reduction in sebaceous glands
what are some age related changes to hair and nails
determined by genetics
Most men lose hair (75% by age 70)
◦ Hair increases in men in the ears, nose and eybrows Women have decreased hair
◦ Women can lose hair in their lower legs that can be misinterpreted as peripheral vascular disease
Nails become more brittle, harder and thicker
Shape can change to become flat, or concave and vertical ridges can appear
Rate of nail growth decreased
Risk factors related to the individual:
cardiovascular problems - arterial/venous
arterial insufficiency
PAD (peripheral arterial disease)
risk factors: obesity, CAD smoking, HTN diabetes
* Increase risk related to slight trauma can cause arterial ulcer - between toes or tips of toes
venous insufficiency
risk factor: diabetes
edema in lower legs
explains brown color of lower legs
Skin tissue becomes vulnerable to trauma from minor assaults
what are some risk factors relate to ind: skin problems?
Xerosis
most common skin problem
more moisture escapes related to thinner epidermis
Causes: inadequate fluid intake, exposure to environment, nutritional deficiencies and smoking, drying soap, incontinence
Pruritus
Itchy skin can be a result of xerosis
Be alert for signs of infection
Causes: environmental, can be a sign of systemic disease
Herpes Zolster (shingles)
Rash occurs occurs along a nerve pathway (dermatone)
Clusters of papulovesclicles
Pain and tingling along nerve pathways
20% have Post herpatic neuralgia
risk factors related to ind: foot problems
Corns and Calluses
Bunions
Hammer toe
Fungal infection
what are corns and calluses?
◦ Growths of impacted skin that occur as a result of prolonged pressure
◦ People with diabetes, neurological impairment or poor circulation are at risk and need
considered treatment
what are bunions?
◦ Bony prominence
◦ heredity
◦ Walking can be compromised Foot problems
Hammer toe
what is a hammer toe?
◦ A toe that is permanently flexed
◦ Seen in conjunction with bunions
what is a fungal infection?
◦ Skin and nail can be affected
◦ Associated with degeneration of the nail plate
◦ Sides of the nail can dig into the skin like an ingrown toenail
what is the most common skin damage factor that can cause cancer?
THE SUN
risk of damage to the skin from the sun is higher with the older adult
* Preventable - sunscreen
what are some health risks related changes - individual risk factors that impact and environment?
photo aging
skin cancer
basal cell cancer
shamus cell cancer
malignant melanoma
decreased ability to manage environmental temperature variation
Decreased ability to stabilize fluids and electrolytes
Foot problems can cause impaired mobility
what are some interventions : education to reduce risk of impaired skin function
Maintaining Healthy Skin
* Thermoregulation/ electrolyte balance (keeping hydrated)
* Protection
* Inspection
Personal Care Practices
* Protection of epithelium of skin * Dryness, moisture
* Method of drying
* Protection of skin from injury * eg. falling
Preventing Sun Damage
* Protection – use at least SPF 15
Preventing injury from abrasive forces
* Protection of epithelium from shearing
what are some ways to reduce the risk of damage to skin?
Education on risk of photodamage and smoke damage
- sun protection
Education on observation of skin Recognize skin problems related to
change in moles
when in doubt, check it out
Cardiovascular disease (Peripheral artery disease and Venous insufficieny
Can lead to serious skin infections
* Mild dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), to ulceration and gangrene
* Prevent trauma to skin
what are some interventions to reduce risk in sin problems?
Xerosis
Keep skin hydrated
Treatment: treat dehydration and reduce environmental stressors (tepid bath rather than hot bath)
Environmental humidity at 60%
Use skin products that help retain moisture of the skin
Lubricants and oils, petroleum jells, zinc oxide (protects skin)
Pruritus
Reduce itching
Treat: rehydration of skin, cool compresses or baths with oatmeal, Epsom salts
Herpes Zolster
Prevention re: vaccines can prevent !Medical and Pain management
Antiviral medication and pain management Emotional support
Interventions to reduce risk for skin
integrity related to foot problems - assessment and care of toenails
assessment:
◦ Observation of gait
◦ Past medical history
◦ Assess feet
care of toenail:
Trim after bath
Nails trimmed straight across
Footcare of person with diabetes is done by a trained nurse or podiatrist
Diabetics should never have nails done at a commercial establishment
Ingrown toe nails require attention by a specialist
Footwear can improve symptoms of arthritis (firm soles may decrease pain associated with walking)
what are some intervention to reduce the risk related to foot problems?
Corns and Calluses
◦Oval corn pads, moleskins or lambswool, gelpads
◦Daily lubrication
Bunions
◦Medical management
◦Shoes that do not add pressure to the area
Hammer toe
◦ Non constricting footwear
Fungal infection
◦ Difficult to treat medically
◦ Keep feet try and hygiene
what is the definition of pressure injury?
“any lesion caused by unrelieved pressure that results in damage to underlying tissues. Pressure ulcers usually occur over a bony prominence and are staged to classify the degree of tissue damage observed”
how would you reduce the risk for pressure injury?
Identify risk
Monitor older adults who are at risk Prevention/Assessment – Nursing Interventions