Types of Wounds 1
The type of would that can be characterized as either "surgical" or "traumatic"
What is intentional vs. unintentional?
These are caused by prolonged pressure over a bony prominence, leading to tissue ischemia
What are pressure-related wounds?
The two key signs that a wound is unstageable
What are eschar (black/brown, neurotic tissue) and slough (yellow and stringy)?
Difficult wounds that require specialized treatment because they involve extensive tissue damage or impaired healing
What are complex wounds?
Intentional, such as an IV or unintentional, such as being impaled by a metal straw)
What is a puncture wound?
These have a lack of sensation because they are caused by nerve damage (ex: diabetic foot ulcers)
What are neuropathic wounds?
Stage of a pressure ulcer where only the epidermis is affected, so the skin is in tact, it's just red and non-blanchable.
What is a stage 1 pressure ulcer?
An incision, laceration, puncture, abrasion or ulcer - describes whether or not the skin is broken
What's is an open wound?
A cut with a sharp instrument, typically surgical, least likely to get infected
What is an incision?
When a foreign object enters & is lodged (ex: a gunshot or a splinter)
What is a penetrating wound?
Wounds that are caused by poor circulation
What are vascular wounds?
Stage of a pressure ulcer where the skin has started to break down and is now open. It affects the epidermis and dermis. Wound bed is red or pink and shiny or dry
What is a stage 2 pressure ulcer?
A contusion (bruise) or hematoma, describes whether or not the skin is broken
What is a closed wound?
Damage to underlying tissue from a blunt object
What is a contusion (bruise)?
A body part is torn from normal anatomical position, possible damage to nerves, blood vessels & other structures (ex: tooth removal or ACL tear)
What is an avulsion?
A specific type of vascular wound that is caused by ischemia due to poor blood flow TO the area due to atherosclerosis/thrombosis
What are arterial ulcers?
Stage of a pressure ulcer where there is full thickness skin loss into the subcutaneous layer below the dermis. There may be tunneling.
What is a stage 3 pressure ulcer?
Classified by healing time, this type heals normally in a predictable time
What is an acute wound?
Top layer of skin scraped away, dirt/germs often embedded
What is an abrasion?
A wound caused by acid or other toxic agents
What is a chemical wound?
A specific type of wound that is caused by poor flow AWAY from the area (venous return) - pooling of blood
What are venous ulcers?
Stage of a pressure ulcer where the damage extends all the way down into the muscle or bone (even tendons)
Classified by healing time, this type has delayed healing (greater than 4-6 weeks), such as diabetic, venous, or pressure ulcers
What are chronic wounds?
Tearing of the skin, may leave skin flaps, frequently contaminated and likely to get infected
What are lacerations?
A wound caused by extreme temperature, either high or low, such as a burn or frostbite
What is a thermal wound?
Healing phase where platelets are activated and trigger the clotting cascade and vasoconstriction allows for hemostasis - the goal of this phase is to stop the bleeding
What is hemostasis (phase 1)?
Healing phase of a wound that last several days, vasodilation allows for an influx of WBCs to eliminate bacteria - goal is to clean the wound
What is the inflammatory phase? (Phase 2)
Healing phase of the wound where the goal is to fill and cover the wound - fibroblasts arrive and form granulation tissue, new blood vessels develop (angiogenesis), wound contracts, epithelial cells migrate to cover the wound bed
What is the proliferation phase? (Phase 3)
A wound caused by UV light or radiation exposure
What is an irradiation wound?
A wound caused by compromised circulation leading to damage due to pressure/friction
What is a pressure ulcer?
Occurs with abdominal incisions open - organs protrude through the incision - an emergency
What is an evisceration?
Partial or complete separation of a surgical incision that was previously closed
What is a dehiscence?
The healing phase of a wound where the goal is remodeling of scar tissue - lasts up to 12 months. Collagen (type 3) is replaced by stronger collagen (type 1)
What is the maturation phase? (Phase 4)