Skin Integrity and Wound Healing Lecture Notes

Flashcards on Skin Integrity and Wound Healing

Function of the Skin

A barrier protector that prevents bacteria from entering the body.

Infant Skin

When we're born, our skin is very thin and not mature. It is an organ. It is the largest organ. Nerve endings and sweat glands need to mature, which is why it's very hard for babies to regulate.

Where Heat Leaves the Body

Skull, hands, and feet.

Adolescent Skin

Skin gets a little bit thicker, a little bit tougher.

Older Adult Skin

Skin starts becoming a little bit more frail, and hair follicles produce less hair.

What the Body Absorbs from the Sun

Vitamin D.

Sweating

It cools your body temperature down by evaporation. We release electrolytes and fluids.

Primary Intention Wound

The edges are nice and clean. A surgical wound.

Secondary Intention Wound

They're not nice and even; not a clean cut.

Tertiary Intention Wound

Like a pressure ulcer or a pressure wound that needs to be packed. We want the wound to grow from inside out.

Why Keep Pressure Wounds Open

To help the wound grow from inside out.

Goal of the Inflammatory Phase

To get in a homeostasis state.

Granulation Phase

New blood vessels are coming because with new blood vessels comes oxygen to promote tissue.

Maturation Phase

Tissue is growing. Collagen starts rebuilding, which forms scars. Scarred tissue is not pliable.

Diet to Promote with Integrity Issues

High-protein diet.

Skin Assessment

Head to toe; color, cap refill, whether they look clean.

Palpating the Skin

Cool to the touch?

How to Test Turgor in Elderly Patients

Pinch the forehead or here to test.

Common Sites of Pressure Ulcers

Elbows, back of ears, back of head, hip joints, heels, knees.

Why Avoid Patients Being Higher Than 30 Degrees

To prevent shearing and friction.

Symmetrical Moles

You have clean edges, it's a circle.

Interventions for Wounds

We cleanse wounds with sterile saline and dressing changes using a sterile technique.

Debridement

They go in and remove necrotic tissue covering the actual wound.

A, B, C, D, Es of Screening for Malignant Melanoma

Asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolution.

Woods Lamp

Shows if there are any pigment disorders.