Ch 48 skin integrity and wound care

skin Largest organ of body 15% of adult body weight Protects against disease carrying organisms Sensory organ for pain, temp, touch Synthesizes vitamin D

Older Adults’ skin Reduced elasticity….easily torn Concomitant med conditions and polypharmacy interfere with wound healing Attachment between dermis and epidermis becomes flattened, allowing mechanical tears(tape) Diminished inflammatory response, poor wound healing Dimished subcutaneous padding over bony prominences Poor nutrition is a risk factor for breakdown and pressure ulcers

Pressure ulcers Impaired skin integrity related to unrelieved, prolonged pressure. AKA pressure sores, decubitus ulcer, bedsore Localized injury to skin and underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence Pressure interferes with blood flow, cellular metabolism, results in tissue ischemia and ultimately tissue death

Risks for pressure ulcers Decreased mobility Decreased sensory perception Altered level of consciousness Fecal or urinary incontinence Poor nutrition

Staging a pressure ulcer Assessment descriptions To evaluate wound healing, plan interventions, evaluate progress Staging describes the depth of tissue destroyed Necrotic tissue must be removed for proper staging and assessment Staging I-IV… can stage up but not down

Stage I Red, nonblanchable skin. Intact Warmth, edema, hardness, or pain may be present Dark pigmented skin may not “blanche” “at risk”

Stage II Partial thickness skin loss Blister Or shallow, open ulcer Without slough or bruising Not related to tears, burns, excoriation

Stage III Full thickness skin loss Fat is visible Bone, tendon, muscle not visible Slough may be present May be tunnelling

Stage IV Full thickness tissue loss Bone, muscle, or tendon is exposed Undermining and tunnelling common Slough or eschar present

Slough and eschar

Preventing pressure ulcers Avoid prolonged pressure Maximize nutrition Keep skin clean and dry Use skin protectant/defriction ointment Daily assessments Document changes Educate patients

Treating pressure ulcers Easier to prevent than to treat!!!! Avoid rubbing area Keep clean and dry Barrier ointment Irrigate open ulcers with SALINE Dressing per facility or wound nurse recommendation (may be moist or dry)

Braden scale table 48-3 Sensory perception 1-4 Moisture 1-4 Activity 1-4 Mobility 1-4 Nutrition 1-4 (usual intake pattern) Friction and shear 1-3 The lower the number, the greater the risk

Wound classifications acute chronic Trauma, surgical incision Proceeds through orderly and timely reparitive process Edges are clean and intact Easily cleaned and repaired Fails to proceed through an orderly and timely process Does produce anatomical and functional integrity Chronic inflammation, vascular compromise, repetitive insults to tissue Continued exposure to insult impedes healing Wound classifications

Healing processes Primary intention; edges are closed, risk of infection low. minimal scar formation Secondary intention: involves loss of tissue. Wound is left open until filled with scar tissue. Longer to heal, more risk of infection Tertiary intention: delayed closure of wound for several days . Resolve infection before closing

Process of wound repair (partial thickness) Tissue trauma causes inflammatory response Epithelial cells begin to regenerate Epithelial proliferation and migration start at the wound edges, migrate across wound bed Migration requires a moist surface

Process of wound repair (full thickness) Hemostasis- blood vessels constrict, platelets gather. Fibrin matrix formed for cellular repair Inflammatory phase- damaged cells secrete histamine, causing vasodilation of surrounding capillaries and exudation of serum and WBCs into damaged tissue. Redness, warmth, edema Proliferative phase- construction of new blood vessels, fill wound with granulation tissue, resurface with epithelial cells. New collagen Remodeling- maturation of cells. Collagen continues to reorganize. Scar tissue may be lighter or darker than surrounding skin.

Impairment of healing Age Anemia Hypoproteinemia Zinc deficiency

Complications of wound healing Hemorrhage Infection Dehiscience Evisceration

Nutrition and wound healing Calories Protein Vit C Vit A Vit E Zinc Fluid

Wound terminology Abrasion Avulsion Incision Laceration Puncture Ulcer

Assessing wounds Do not remove dressing without order unless you suspect complications Analgesia if needed 30 mins prior Edges: approximated? Clean? Presence of exudate? Color, odor? Wound base description? Erythema? Edema? Surrounding skin??

More assessment data Serum albumin level White blood cell count Wound culture, gram stain results Vital signs Palpation of periwound skin

Assessing drainage Amount (scant, small, moderate, copious, saturated dressing) Weigh the dressing if needed for exact measure Record output from drain Serous, sanguinous, serosanguinous, purulent

drains

drains Change dressings with caution to avoid dislodging drains Yes, Penrose drains are supposed to have that safety pin. Nurses may “pull” drains with surgeon’s orders Empty receptacle as needed, at least q shift Make sure suction and drainage continue, “strip” tubing with order only.

Wound closures

Collaborate with Physicians and surgeons Physical therapists Wound/ostomy nurse Dieticians

Nursing process A D P I E