1. Chapter 28
Wound Care

2. Wounds Wound: damaged skin or soft tissue resulting from trauma
Open wounds: mucous membrane is no longer intact
Closed wounds: no open mucous membrane

3. Wound Repair
Inflammation: physiologic defense occurring immediately after tissue injury, lasting 2 to 5 days
Purpose: limit local damage, remove injured cells/debris, prepare wound for healing
Signs and symptoms of inflammation: swelling, redness, warmth, pain, and decreased function

4. Wound Repair (cont’d)
Proliferation: period during which new cells fill and seal a wound; it occurs 2 days to weeks after inflammatory phase
The integrity of skin and damaged tissue is restored by resolution, regeneration, and scar formation

5. Wound Repair (cont’d)
Remodeling: period during which the wound undergoes changes and maturation
Lasts 6 months to 2 years
During remodeling, the wound contracts and the scar shrinks

6. The Inflammatory Response

7. Wound Healing
First-intention healing: reparative process in which wound edges are directly next to each other
Second-intention healing: wound edges are widely separated; time-consuming, complex reparative process
Third-intention healing: deep wound edges brought together with some type of closure material, resulting in a broad, deep scar

8. Wound Healing Factors Type of wound injury Expanse or depth of wound
Circulation quality
Amount of wound debris
Presence of infection
Client’s health status

9. Wound Repair

10. Wound Healing Complications
Wound healing key: adequate blood flow to the injured tissue
Interfering factors may include:
Compromised circulation
Infection
Purulent, bloody, or serous fluid accumulation preventing skin and tissue approximation

11. Wound Healing Complications (cont’d)
Potential surgical wound complications
Dehiscence: separation of wound edges
Evisceration: wound separation with protrusion of organs

12. Dressings Dressing purposes: Keeping wound clean Absorbing drainage
Controlling bleeding
Protecting wound from further injury
Holding medication in place
Maintaining a moist environment

13. Dressings (cont’d) Types of dressings:
Gauze dressings: ideal for covering fresh wounds that are likely to bleed, or wounds that exude drainage
Transparent dressings: used to cover peripheral and central IV insertion sites

14. Dressings (cont’d) Types of dressings (cont’d)
Hydrocolloid dressings: keep wounds moist; moist wounds heal more quickly; new cells grow more rapidly in a wet environment
Dressing changes: when a wound requires assessment or care

15. Wound Management
Drains
Open drains
Closed drains
Sutures and staples

16. Wound Management (cont’d)
Bandages and binders
Purpose: hold dressings in place, especially if tape cannot be used or dressing is very large
Support area around the wound or injury to reduce pain
Limit movement in wound area to promote healing

17. Wound Management (cont’d)
Roller bandage application
Binder application
– Different types of binders
Single T-binder
Double T-binder

18. Wound Management (cont’d)
Debridement: removal of dead tissue
Sharp debridement: using sterile scissors, forceps, etc.
Enzymatic debridement: using chemical substances
Autolytic debridement: natural physiologic process

19. Wound Management (cont’d)
Debridement (cont’d):
Mechanical debridement: physical removal of debris from a wound using wet-to-dry dressings, hydrotherapy, irrigation
Commonly irrigated structures include:
Wounds, eyes, ears, vagina

20. Wound Management (cont’d)
Heat and cold applications
Ice bag and ice collar
Chemical packs
Compresses
Aquathermia pad
Soaks and moist packs
Therapeutic baths

21. Pressure Ulcers Also known as decubitus ulcers
Appear over bony prominences of the sacrum, hips, heals, and places where pressure is unrelieved
Risk factors include:
Inactivity, immobility, malnutrition, emaciation
Diaphoresis, incontinence, sedation
Vascular disease, localized edema, dehydration

22. Pressure Ulcers (cont’d)
Stages of pressure ulcers
Stage I: intact but reddened skin
Stage II: reddened skin accompanied by blistering or a skin tear
Stage III: shallow skin crater that extends to the subcutaneous tissue
Stage IV: deeply ulcerated, extending to muscle and bone; life threatening

23. Pressure Ulcers (cont’d)
Prevention of pressure ulcers
Change client’s position frequently
Avoid using plastic-covered pillows
Use the lateral position for side-lying
Massage bony prominences
Use pressure-relieving devices
Provide a balanced diet and adequate fluid intake

24. Nursing Implications Potential nursing diagnoses: Acute pain
Impaired skin and tissue integrity
Ineffective tissue perfusion
Risk for infection