Chapter 33 test

First Lines of Defense and Wound Types

• Skin serves as the primary line of defense against microorganisms.
• Closed wounds similar to bruises are known as contusions.
• Adequate oxygen and nutrients are necessary to maintain cell life and resist injury.

Ulcers and Pressure Injuries

• Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, develop due to prolonged skin pressure.
• Essential components for a normal body response to injury include proper blood flow and immune function.
• Resistance to injury can be influenced by factors like nutrition and hydration.

Healing Processes and Wound Management

• Normal healing is promoted when wounds are free from foreign material, allowing the body's natural processes to proceed unimpeded.
• Sharp object injuries are classified as lacerations or incisions.
• The inflammatory phase is the initial stage of wound healing, involving blood vessel constriction and clot formation.

Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Injuries

• To prevent pressure injuries, it is crucial to reposition patients regularly and relieve pressure from vulnerable areas.
• Maintaining higher humidity and using moisturizers helps keep skin hydrated, reducing friction and the risk of injury.
• Applying heat can enhance blood flow and alleviate pain in pressure injuries.

Dressings and Drainage Systems

• Hydrocolloid dressings are effective for maintaining moisture and promoting healing.
• When changing dressings, always follow aseptic techniques and assess the wound for any changes.
• Jackson-Pratt drains represent a closed drainage system often used following surgery.

Immediate Treatment Post-Injury

• Applying cold in the first 72 hours helps reduce swelling and numb pain.
• Factors affecting responses to hot and cold treatments include individual sensitivity and skin condition.
• Minimizing skin injury from friction or shearing is essential in preventing pressure injuries.

Assessment and Health History

• The first phase of wound healing focuses on hemostasis, ceasing blood loss.
• The proliferative phase involves forming new tissue and is fundamental for scar tissue development.
• Risks for pressure injury development include immobility, poor nutrition, and moisture.
• Stage 3 pressure injuries feature full-thickness skin loss affecting subcutaneous tissue but not underlying fascia.

Wound Assessment Considerations

• Health history should prioritize factors such as existing comorbidities, nutrition status, and medication effects on healing.
• Skin assessments should be conducted regularly in acute care settings to monitor any changes or signs of injury.
• Drainage assessment should consider color, consistency, and quantity to evaluate healing progress.

Additional Considerations

• Cold applications enhance comfort and reduce pain in the early stages of injury treatment.
• Cleansing skin routinely helps prevent infections and maintains skin integrity, particularly in at-risk patients.

Test your knowledge on factors affecting the health of the skin and mucous membranes. Explore the impact of age, underlying tissues, illness, nourishment, hydration, circulation, and types of injuries such as intentional, unintentional, neuropathic, vascular, pressure-related, open or closed wounds, and acute or chronic conditions.