Patient Education, Wound Care, Surgical Care, and Bowel Elimination

Vocabulary flashcards covering core nursing concepts from patient education, wound management, surgical interventions, and bowel elimination routines.

Visual Learning

A mode of learning where patients absorb information through what they see.

Auditory Learning

A mode of learning where patients absorb information through what they hear.

Kinesthetic Learning

A mode of learning where patients absorb information by performing a task or handling items.

Contusion

A type of closed wound, commonly referred to as a bruise.

Partial-Thickness Wounds

Superficial wounds that heal quickly by producing new skin cells, using a fibrin clot as a framework for cell growth.

Full-Thickness Wounds

Wounds with no dermal layer present except at the margins, requiring necrotic tissue removal and healing by contraction.

Inflammatory Phase

The initial phase of wound healing that begins immediately and lasts 1 to 4 days, characterized by edema, erythema, heat, pain, and possible loss of function.

Proliferation Phase

The second phase of wound healing starting on the third or fourth day and lasting 2 to 3 weeks, where macrophages clear debris, fibroblasts synthesize collagen, and capillary networks form deep pink granulation tissue.

Maturation Phase

The final phase of wound healing beginning about 3 weeks after injury and lasting up to 2 years, where collagen is lysed and resynthesized to form strong scar tissue.

Primary Intention

Wound healing occurring in wounds with little tissue loss, where wound edges approximate and there is only a slight chance of infection.

Secondary Intention

Wound healing occurring in wounds with tissue loss, where edges do not approximate and the wound is left open to fill with scar tissue.

Tertiary Intention

Wound healing characterized by delayed suturing of a wound after granulation tissue has already begun to form.

Abscess

A localized wound infection consisting of an accumulation of pus from debris as a result of phagocytosis.

Cellulitis

Inflammation of tissue surrounding a wound, characterized by redness and induration.

Fistula

An abnormal passage between two organs or between an internal organ and the body surface.

Sinus

A canal or passageway leading to an abscess.

Dehiscence

The spontaneous opening of an incision, often preceded by an increased flow of serosanguineous drainage.

Evisceration

The protrusion of an internal organ through an incision.

Red Wounds

Clean open wounds ready to heal that should be protected with a protective dressing.

Yellow Wounds

Open wounds covered with a layer of yellow fibrous debris and sloughing, requiring continuous cleansing and an absorbent dressing.

Black Wounds

Wounds containing dead tissue requiring debridement, usually caused by gangrene or thermal injury.

Debridement

The surgical, enzymatic, or mechanical removal of necrotic tissue from a wound so healing can occur.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

A treatment using a suction device applied to a special wound dressing to institute negative pressure, draw wound edges together, remove fluid, and increase blood flow.

Elective Surgery

A voluntary surgical procedure performed when convenient for the patient, usually without significant consequences if delayed.

Emergency Surgery

A surgical procedure necessary in trauma cases, carrying serious consequences if not performed immediately.

Palliative Surgery

A surgical procedure performed usually to relieve pain or discomfort rather than cure the underlying illness.

Diagnostic Surgery

A surgical procedure performed to provide data for a diagnosis, such as a biopsy.

Curative Surgery

A surgical procedure performed to cure a health problem, such as removing gallbladder stones or an infected appendix.

General Anesthesia

Anesthesia administered via inhalant gas or IV medication, putting the patient in a deep sleep with muscle relaxation and total lack of awareness.

Regional Anesthesia

Anesthesia accomplished via a nerve block (such as spinal, caudal, epidural, or peripheral) that keeps the patient awake while anesthetizing the surgical area.

Conscious Sedation Anesthesia

Anesthesia combining a local anesthetic at the surgical site with intravenous systemic analgesia.

Scrub Person

A surgical team member who sets up sterile instruments, participates in counts, hands instruments, and maintains sterile technique.

Circulating Nurse

A surgical team member responsible for patient safety, supervising team technique, managing counts, handling specimens, and providing supplies.

Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

A specialized unit providing continuous care and monitoring to patients recovering from general or spinal anesthesia until vital signs stabilize.

Ileocecal Valve

A valve that controls the flow of chyme from the small intestine into the large intestine.

Melena

Black stool caused by an upper gastrointestinal bleed.

Hypoactive Bowel

A state of decreased intestinal peristalsis, usually resulting in constipation and flatus accumulation.

Fecal Impaction

A condition where the rectum and sigmoid colon become filled with hardened fecal material, indicated by an absence of bowel movement for more than 3 days.

Retention Enema

An enema that softens stool as oil is absorbed.

Cleansing Enema

An enema that stimulates peristalsis through distention and irritation of the colon and rectum, typically using a volume of 500 to 1000 mL in adults.

Ileostomy

A surgical diversion of small bowel contents to a pouch or stoma, resulting in liquid effluent.

Colostomy

A surgical diversion of the colon, producing effluent that ranges from liquid to formed solid depending on the site.