Wounds

Hemostasis

The first response mechanism for injury, lasting about 2 days, involving vasoconstriction and clot formation.

Inflammatory Phase

The phase from injury onset to day six characterized by vascular changes, exudate, clot formation, phagocytosis, and early fibroblast activity.

Proliferative Phase

The stage of wound healing from day 3 to 6 weeks after injury, focusing on granulation tissue formation, collagen production, and epithelialization.

Remodeling Phase

The final stage of wound healing occurring from day 14 to up to 10 weeks, characterized by maturation and remodeling of collagen.

Granulation Tissue

A tissue composed of blood vessels and a collagen matrix, appearing beefy red and granular in healthy wounds.

Epithelialization

The process of restoring the epithelium over a wound, critical for closure and recovery.

Full Thickness Wound

A wound that involves epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.

Serous Exudate

Clear, pale yellow, or pink color and thin consistency, typically normal in wound healing.

Necrotic Tissue

Dead tissue that appears dark and may impede the healing process of a wound.

Maggot Debridement Therapy

A biological debridement method using the larva of greenbottle flies to digest necrotic tissue and stimulate healing.

Wet-to-Dry Dressing

A mechanical debridement method using dressed gauze that adheres to the wound, causing bleeding and pain when removed.

Eschar

A hard, dried necrotic tissue that can obstruct proper wound healing.

Exudate

The fluid that drains from wounds; its characteristics can indicate healing progress or infection.

Pressure Ulcer Stage I

Skin is intact with non-blanchable erythema.

Pressure Ulcer Stage II

Involves dermis and/or epidermis; presents as an abrasion, blister, or shallow crater.

Pressure Ulcer Stage III

Ulcer that penetrates through epidermis and dermis to subcutaneous tissues.

Pressure Ulcer Stage IV

Ulcer that penetrates through subcutaneous tissue to muscle, tendon, and/or bone.

Collagen

A protein that is essential for wound healing, providing structure and strength to the tissue.

Debridement

The removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve healing prospects.

Serosanguinous Exudate

Red color and thin consistency, indicating some damage to blood vessels.

Clinical Signs of Infection

Indicators such as pain, redness, inflammation, edema, and purulent drainage.