Skin Integrity & Wound Healing

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to skin integrity and wound healing as discussed in the lecture.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of skin, consisting of the stratum corneum and stratum germinativum.

Dermis

The layer of skin beneath the epidermis, containing blood vessels, hair follicles, and connective tissue.

Subcutaneous layer

The layer of fat and connective tissue beneath the dermis that insulates the body and absorbs shock.

Factors affecting skin integrity

Elements such as age, mobility status, nutrition, hydration, sensation level, circulation, medications, and lifestyle that influence skin health.

Protein

Essential nutrient that helps maintain skin structure, repair defects, and preserve intravascular volume.

A condition resulting in poor skin turgor and increased risk of skin integrity impairment.

dehydration

Wound healing

The process involving regeneration and repair of tissue following injury, categorized into phases.

Primary intention

Wound healing by direct approximation of edges, typical of clean surgical incisions.

Secondary intention

Wound healing in which edges are not approximated, usually involving tissue loss.

Tertiary intention

Wound healing involving delayed closure of wound edges, typically with granulating tissue.

Inflammatory phase

The first phase of wound healing, characterized by hemostasis, inflammation, and preparation for tissue repair.

Proliferative phase

The phase of wound healing where fibroblasts synthesize collagen and new tissue forms.

The final phase of wound healing, where collagen is remodeled and tensile strength is improved.

Maturation phase

Serous exudate

A straw-colored fluid that may drain from a wound, indicating a normal healing process.

Sanguineous drainage

Blood drainage from a wound, often indicating active bleeding.

Purulent exudate

Thick yellow fluid containing pus, often indicative of infection.

Dehiscence

The separation of a wound's edges, which can indicate a complication in wound healing.

Evisceration

A severe complication where internal organs protrude through a wound.

Braden scale

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

Norton scale

An assessment tool evaluating physical condition, mental state, activity, mobility, and incontinence to determine risk for skin integrity issues.

Pressure injury

Skin and tissue damage that occurs due to prolonged pressure, commonly affecting patients with limited mobility.

Intrinsic factors

Internal factors such as aging and poor nutrition that contribute to the risk of pressure injuries.

Extrinsic factors

External factors like moisture, friction, and pressure that influence the development of pressure injuries.

PUSH tool

A scoring system used to evaluate the status of a wound, incorporating factors like length, width, exudate, and granulation.