WOUND CARE GLOSSARY Flashcards
Abscess
Localized collection of pus in any part of the body.
Aerobe
A microorganism which lives and grows in the presence of oxygen
Anaerobe
A microorganism which grows in the absence of free oxygen
Anhidrosis
Severe dry, flaky skin caused by loss of moisture production in the skin
Antibacterial
An agent that inhibits the growth of bacteria
Autolysis
Disintegration or liquification of tissue or cells by the body’s own mechanisms
Bactericidal
An agent which destroys bacteria
Bacteriostatic
An agent which is capable of inhibiting the growth or multiplication of bacteria
Bioburden
Number of bacteria living on a surface that has not been sterilized
Biofilm
Microorganisms stuck together in an extracellular matrix; can be on a nonliving surface. “Cities for microbes”
Blanching
To become white with pressure; maximum pallor
Cellulitis
Inflammation of tissue around a lesion; signifies a spreading infectious process.
Collagen
Main supportive protein of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage, and connective tissue
Colonized
Presence of bacteria, which cause no local or systemic signs or symptoms
Contamination
The soiling by contact or introduction of organisms into a wound.
Contraction
The pulling together or wound edges in the healing process
Cross-hatching
Sharp debridement in perpendicular strokes to loosen eschar
Debridement
Removal of devitalized or necrotic tissue
Debris
Remains of broken down or damaged cells or tissue
Decubitus Ulcer
A pressure sore (layman’s term is bedsore)
Dehiscence
Accidental separation of wound edges, especially a surgical wound
Denude
Loss of epidermis, superficial abrasion
Dermal wound
Loss of skin integrity; may be superficial or deep
Dermis
The inner layer of skin in which hair follicles and sweat glands originate
Dessicate
To dry out thoroughly
Dry gangrene
Dry, stable eschar
Edema
The presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the interstitial space
Epibole
Rolled edge of the wound margin due to reattachment of the skin to itself
Epidermis
The outer cellular layer of the skin (0.6mm)
Epithelialization
Regeneration of the epidermis across the wound surface
Erythema
Redness of the skin surface produced by vasodilatation
Eschar
Thick, leathery scab or dry crust composed of dead cells and dried plasma
Excoriation
Linear scratches on the skin
Exudate
A mixture of fluid, protein and cells in the wound
Fibroblast
Any cell from which connective tissue is developed
Friction
Surface damage caused by skin rubbing against another surface
Full-thickness
Tissue destruction extending through the dermis to involve the subcutaneous layer and possible muscle or bone
Granulation
The formation or growth of small blood vessels and connective tissue in a full- thickness wound.
Hemosiderin
Staining from iron rich pigment that is a product of red cell hemolysis
Hydrophilic
Attracting moisture
Hydrophobic
Repelling moisture
Hyperemia
Presence of excess blood in the vessels; engorgement
Infection
Overgrowth of microorganisms capable of tissue destruction and invasion accompanied by systemic symptoms
Inflammation
Defensive reaction to tissue injury; involves increased blood flow and capillary permeability and facilitates physiologic cleanup of the wound.
Accompanied by increased heat, redness, swelling and pain in the affected area
Induration
Hardness at wound edges
Intermittent Claudication
Pain in lower extremities when walking short distances due to arterial insufficiency.
Ischemia
Loss of blood to an area due to constriction or obstruction of a blood vessel.
Leukocytosis
Increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood
Lymphedema
A condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling.
It may occur in an arm or leg if lymph vessels are blocked, damaged, or removed by surgery
Maceration
Softening of the tissue caused by excessive moisture or soaking in fluids
Macrophage
Cells which have the ability to destroy bacteria and necrotic tissue
Necrotic
Dead; avascular.
Partial-thickness
Loss of epidermis and possible partial loss of dermis.
Periwound
Tissue surrounding a wound.
Prevalence
Prevalence measures all cases of a condition (e.g., pressure ulcers) among those at risk for developing the condition. Measures of prevalence are made at one point in time such as a specific day
Pressure ulcer
Area of localized tissue damage caused by ischemia due to pressure
Purulent
Thick fluid indicative of infection containing leukocytes, bacteria, and debris.
Sanguinous
Bloody drainage from a wound.
Serous
Fluid that has characteristics of serum; is clear
Serosanguinous
Fluid drainage with a bloody tint
Shear
Trauma caused by tissue layers sliding against each other resulting in disruption or angulation of blood vessels.
Sinus tract
Pathway extending in any direction from the wound and resulting in dead space with potential for abscess formation.
Slough
Loose, stringy necrotic tissue.
Tunneling
Pathway extending in any direction from the wound with an entry and exit point
Undermining
Tissue destruction underneath intact skin along wound margins
Wound base
Upper layer viable tissue in the wound; may be covered with slough or eschar
Wound margin
Rim or border of wound.
Wound repair
Healing process. Partial-thickness involves epithelialization; full-thickness involves granulation, epithelialization and contraction.
Wet gangrene
Boggy eschar, often a gray color.
