Self Care: First Aid

What layers of the skin are affected by an abrasion?

Epidermis ± dermis(more severe cases)

What layers of the skin are affected by a puncture wound?

May involve epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissues

What layers of the skin are affected by a laceration?

May involve epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissues

Which wound stages can be self treated?

Only stage 1 and 2

What are the signs and symptoms for a stage 1 wound classification?

• Unbroken, non-blanching skin

• Erythema and pain

What are the signs and symptoms for a stage 2 wound classification?

• Damage to the epidermis ± dermis

• Edema, blistering, minor bleeding/fluid drainage, pain

What are the signs and symptoms for a stage 3 wound classification?

• Damage to epidermis and dermis ± subcutaneous fat

• Pain, bleeding

• May be insensate (lacking physical sensation)

What are the signs and symptoms for a stage 4 wound classification?

• Damage to epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous fat ± muscle/bone

• Pain & bleeding

• May be insensate

When can you use the Wallace Rule of Nines?

For adults, not as reliable for children

What are the three phases involved in the healing process and the time frame for these phases?

• Inflammatory phase (0 minutes to ≈ 3 days)

• Proliferative phase (≈ 3 days to ≈ 3 weeks)

• Remodeling (“maturation”) phase (≈ 3 weeks to ≈ 9 weeks)

What is happening during the inflammatory phase?

Hemostasis and inflammation

What is happening during the proliferative phase?

Connective and epithelial tissue proliferation

What is happening during the remodeling phase?

Strengthening of wound closure

What are some factors that can affect wound healing?

• Poor vascularization (think diabetes, hypotension, heart failure)

• Infection: Excessive bacterial contamination

• Inadequate nutrition (think vitamin deficiencies)

• Increased age and obesity

• Medications (think blood thinners or immunosuppressants)

What are some important self-care exclusions?

• If there is something in the wound

• Chronic wounds (like an ulcer)

• Animal/human bites

• Face, hand, feet, etc. (sensitive parts of body)

• Stage 3 and 4

• Wound 3 inches in diameter

In terms of time frame, when would you say self-care is no longer the answer when treating a wound?

No improvement with 7 days or if it is getting worse

I dont think this is really that important to memorize but here’s the treatment algorithm if you want it ig

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What are the non-pharm options for wound care?

• Remove debris from wound

• Wash it with saline or soapy water

What are the important side effects to know for topical anesthetic products like lidocaine?

• Numbness

• Hypersensitivity

• Systemic toxicity

How do you detmeurine the appropriate dosing of a topical anesthetic?

• Intact skin: Higher concentrations

• Non-Intact skin: Lower concentrations

When using a topical antiseptic how/where do you apply it?

Use it around the wound on intact skin (dont put inside the wound plz)

Where would you apply a topical antibiotic ointment?

Inside the wound bed

Are topical antibiotic ointments used as a preventative measure or as a treatment?

Preventative, ointments stay on the surface so if the skin is already infected the bacteria remains trapped

What is the difference between polysporin and neosporin and why?

Polysporin does not contain neosporin (only two antibiotics not three) and this os done because people can be allergic to neomycin

What kind of wounds can skin protectant ointment be used for?

Dryness this account

How do dressings work?

• It acts as a barrier against bacteria/contaminants & absorbs excess wound fluid

• Reduces loss of protein, electrolytes, and fluid from the wound

Which antibiotic ointment also contains something for pain relief?

Neosporin Plus Pain Relief Ointment

• Polymyxin

• Bacitracin

• Neomycin

• Pramoxine (pain relief)

Which types of burn can you not treat?

Chemical, electrical, or inhalation burns

What are the self care exclusion for a sun burn?

• Fever

• Lightheadedness or vision changes

• Infection

Define Minimal Erythema Dose (MED)

Minimum UVR that produces erythema in the irradiated site for a single exposure

How do you calculate a person’s sun protection time?

Multiply the MED time of the person’s skin with the labeled SPF

• MED x SPF = Time of Duration (assuming they’re reapplying appropriately)