Wound Classification by Depth of Injury

Question 1

Superficial wound: characteristics and healing

Answer 1

Damage to skin with epidermis intact

Will heal with inflammatory process

Question 2

Superficial wound examples

Answer 2

non-blistering sunburn

Question 3

Partial-thickness wound: characteristics and healing

Answer 3

Extends through epidermis and maybe into but NOT THROUGH the dermis
Heals via re-epithelialization or epidermal resurfacing depending on depth

Question 4

Full-thickness wound: characteristics and healing

Answer 4

Extends through the dermis into deeper structures such as subuctaneous fat
Heal by secondary intention

Question 5

What depth is considered to be a full-thickness wound?

Answer 5

4 mm

Question 6

Subcutaneous wound: characteristics and healing

Answer 6

Extend through integumentray tissues and invovle deeper structures such as subcutaneous fat, muscle, tendon or bone
Heal by secondary intention