Wound Healing

Question 1

What are the three main layers of the skin?

Answer 1

Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous Tissue

Question 2

What are the key characteristics of the epidermis?

Answer 2

It’s avascular (oxygen and nutrients supplied by interstitial fluid)
Keratinized epithelial tissue

Question 3

What are the key characteristics of the dermis?

Answer 3

Full of connective tissue
Vessels and nerves run through this layer
Contains many of the skin appendages such as hair follicles

Question 4

What are the key characteristics of subcutaneous tissue?

Answer 4

Consists of adipose tissue

Insulates, cushions and acts as an energy reserve

Question 5

What are the different methods of wound healing?

Answer 5

Primary Intention
Secondary Intention
Tertiary Intention

Question 6

What types of wounds heal through primary intention?

Answer 6

Surgical/Trauma wounds which have been closed

Question 7

What are the key smith and nephew products used to treat wounds via primary intention?

Answer 7

Opsite Post-Op

Opsite Post-Op Visible

Question 8

What are the types of wounds that heal through secondary intention?

Answer 8

Wounds that extend deep into the epidermis and dermis and the wound is not closed e.g. pressure ulcers, leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers

Question 9

What are the key smith and nephew products for treating wounds by secondary intention?

Answer 9

Allevyn
Acticoat
NPWT
Iodo range

Question 10

What types of wounds heal through tertiary intention?

Answer 10

Wounds managed with delayed primary closure i.e. infected wounds, dehisced wounds etc

Question 11

What are the key smith and nephew products used to treat wounds by tertiary intention?

Answer 11

Allevyn
Acticoat
NPWT
Iodo range

Question 12

What are the three main phases of wound healing?

Answer 12

Inflammation
Proliferation
Maturation

Question 13

What are the two main stages of the inflammatory phase?

Answer 13

Haemostasis

Inflammation

Question 14

What are the main stages of the proliferation phase?

Answer 14

Angiogenesis
Granulation
Epithelisation

Question 15

What strength does the wound regain after maturation?

Answer 15

70% of original in chronic

80% of original in surgical

Question 16

What are the common factors that affect healing?

Answer 16

Desiccation
Infection
Mechanical trauma
Poor nutrition
Chemical agents
Temperature variations
Smoking