NURS 5031 Study Guide : Inflammation
NURS 5031 Study Guide : Inflammation
Inflammation:
Physiology and clinical manifestations of local and systemic inflammation
- Physiology of inflammation
- Step 1: Vascular Response:
- Brief vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation
- Chemical mediators involved in vasodilation also increase capillary permeability
- Fluid moves into tissue
- First serous, then plasma proteins that exert oncotic pressure to further draw more fluid from blood vessels
- Tissue becomes edematous
- Clotting! (fibrinogen -> fibrin)
- Step 2: Cellular Response
- Blood flow slows, which allows WBCs to escape
- WBCs in order of their arrival include:
- Neutrophils
- Monocytes
- Macrophages
- Lymphocytes (memory cells)
- Phagocytosis occurs, which brings us to our next step:
- Step 3: Exudate Formation
- Exudate is NOT always a sign of infection (depends on the type of exudate)
- Pus
- Dead neutrophils, digested bacteria, and other cell debris
- Primary intention = paper cut or surgical wound, neat edges
- Secondary intention = large amounts of exudate, irregular edges (infection, trauma)
- Tertiary intention = delayed suturing due to infection, two layers of granulated tissue sutured together
- Remember that many things can slow healing, like age, smoking, diabetes, and steroids
- Nursing Management:
- ASSESS FIRST!!!
- Establish goals
- Intervent and coordinate with wound care
- Clinical Manifestations of Infection
- Redness
- Heat
- Pain
- Swelling
- Loss of function
- Increased WBC count
- Malaise (I literally never knew what this meant until I just googled it 🙄)
- Nausea and anorexia
- Increased pulse and RR
- Fever
- Laboratory values associated with a normal inflammatory response
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