Skin Integrity and Wound Care

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to skin integrity and wound care, focusing on pressure injuries, wound healing processes, and assessments.

Pressure Injury

Localized damage to the skin and underlying tissue due to pressure, shear, or friction.

Primary Intention

Wound healing that occurs when edges are approximated (e.g., surgical incision).

Secondary Intention

Wound healing that occurs when the wound edges are not approximated, leading to granulation tissue formation.

Braden Scale

A tool used to assess a patient's risk for developing pressure ulcers based on sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear.

Inflammatory Phase

A phase of wound healing characterized by hemostasis and the body's initial response to injury, typically involving redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Serous Exudate

A clear, watery fluid that is typically seen in the early stages of wound healing.

Purulent Exudate

Thick, often malodorous drainage that indicates infection, containing pus.

Wound Debridement

The removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to help promote healing.

Hemostasis

The process that prevents and stops bleeding, or hemorrhage.

Maturation Phase

The final phase of wound healing where collagen is remodeled and the wound strengthens, lasting from weeks to a year.