Wound Care, Infection Control, and Perioperative Care Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering wound care, dressings, debridement, pressure injuries, infection phases, isolation precautions, pathogens, and perioperative concepts.

Incision

Clean cut from a sharp object or surgical instrument.

Laceration

Torn or jagged break in tissue.

Abrasion

Superficial scrape caused by friction.

Avulsion

Tissue torn away from its normal attachment.

Ulceration

Open lesion caused by tissue loss or breakdown.

Puncture

Small surface opening with a deeper tract from a pointed object.

Contusion

Closed wound where blunt trauma damages tissue beneath intact skin; bruising may appear.

Inflammatory Phase

Wound healing phase beginning immediately and lasting about 2–5 days, characterized by brief vessel constriction then dilation, clotting, phagocytosis, redness, warmth, swelling, and pain.

Proliferation Phase

Wound healing phase lasting roughly 2 days to 3 weeks where fragile red or pink granulation tissue forms, collagen adds strength, and scar tissue begins.

Remodeling Phase

Wound healing phase that contracts and strengthens the scar over about 6 months to 2 years.

First Intention

Healing mode where wound edges are approximated directly, as with a closed surgical incision.

Second Intention

Healing mode where widely separated wound edges fill with granulation tissue.

Third Intention

Healing mode where the wound is intentionally left open and closed later.

Granulation Tissue

New, fragile, red or pink tissue that forms during the proliferation phase of wound healing.

Dehiscence

Separation of wound edges, often occurring 7–10 days after surgery.

Evisceration

Separation of wound edges with internal organs protruding, often occurring 7–10 days after surgery.

Undermining

Tissue erosion beneath intact skin at the wound edge.

Slough

Moist yellow, tan, gray, or green devitalized tissue in a wound.

Eschar

Dry brown or black necrotic tissue.

Serous Drainage

Plasma-like fluid drainage from a wound.

Purulent Drainage

Thick white, yellow, or green wound drainage associated with infection.

Periwound

The skin immediately surrounding a wound.

Hydrocolloid Dressing

Occlusive adhesive dressing that keeps the wound moist and may remain in place for up to a week.

Alginate Dressing

Dressing that absorbs heavy exudate, forms a gel, and may assist with hemostasis.

Penrose Drain

Open drain that relies on gravity and capillary action to direct fluid onto a dressing.

Jackson-Pratt Drain

Closed drain system that utilizes a compressed bulb reservoir to create negative pressure suction.

Sharp Debridement

Removal of necrotic tissue using scissors or a scalpel performed by a trained clinician.

Enzymatic Debridement

Application of a topical chemical agent to break down dead tissue, specified for noninfected wounds.

Autolytic Debridement

Use of the body's own enzymes to break down dead tissue beneath an occlusive or semipermeable moist dressing.

Mechanical Debridement

Physical removal of dead tissue using methods such as wound irrigation or wet-to-dry dressings.

Stage 1 Pressure Injury

Defined by intact skin presenting with persistent nonblanchable redness.

Stage 2 Pressure Injury

Defined by partial thickness skin loss, such as a shallow open area or intact/ruptured blister.

Stage 3 Pressure Injury

Defined by full thickness skin loss extending into subcutaneous tissue without exposed muscle or bone.

Stage 4 Pressure Injury

Defined by deep full thickness skin loss with exposed muscle, tendon, or bone.

Incubation Period

Disease course stage spanning the time between initial pathogen exposure and the appearance of first symptoms.

Prodromal Stage

Disease course stage characterized by early, vague symptoms prior to characteristic signs of illness.

Acute Stage

Disease course stage where characteristic illness symptoms are at their peak intensity.

Convalescent Stage

Disease course stage marked by declining symptoms and the start of recovery.

Resolution Stage

Final disease course stage where illness ends and body function returns toward baseline.

Infection

Condition occurring when pathogenic organisms injure the host.

Colonization

Presence of organisms residing in or on a host without causing active symptoms of infection.

Standard Precautions

Infection control measures applied to every patient involving hand hygiene and PPE matched to potential exposures.

Airborne Precautions

Transmission-based precautions requiring an airborne isolation room with negative pressure, closed door, and an N95 or PAPR.

Droplet Precautions

Transmission-based precautions requiring a surgical mask for close patient care and masking the patient during transport.

Contact Precautions

Transmission-based precautions requiring gloves and gown for direct patient or environmental contact.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, spreading through contact with infected skin, wounds, or objects, and treated with vancomycin.

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci, normally residing in the human intestines and female genital tract.

Clostridium difficile

Spore-forming pathogen causing watery diarrhea and colitis after antibiotic use, requiring contact precautions and soap-and-water handwashing.

General Anesthesia

Drug-induced state causing total loss of consciousness, sensation, and protective reflexes.

Conscious Sedation

Moderate sedation state reducing awareness while allowing the patient to respond purposefully to verbal or light tactile stimuli.

Malignant Hyperthermia

Life-threatening anesthetic complication marked by rising carbon dioxide, muscle rigidity, tachycardia, and high temperature, treated with dantrolene.

Phantom Pain

Painful sensation felt in a limb or organ that has been surgically removed or is no longer present.