Distinguish between the epidermis, dermis, and dermal layers of the skin.
What is a pressure injury? Why does it occur? How can you determine a pressure injury?
– localized damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue taht results from unrelieved, prolonged pressure
– occurs because blood flow is limited to that area due to pressure
– appears red and non-blanchable
What are the 6 risk factors for pressure injuries?
What is ischemia?
decreased blood supply to an area
What is hyperemia (erythema)?
redness
Define blanchable.
color lightens when pressure is applied
Define non-blanchable.
stays red (hyperemia/erythema) despite pressure application
What is shear force? When does it occur?
– shear force: sliding movement of the skin and subq tissue while underlying muscle/bone are stationary
– occurs when HOB is raised or during pt transfers
What is friction?
effects of rubbing or resistance that a moving body meets from the surface where it moves
Distinguish the 4 stages of pressure ulcer classifications.
What is a deep tissue injury?
non-blanchable, dark discoloration of skin (either intact or not)
called this because it is not possible to determine how deep the injury goes
Distinguish between granulation tissue, slough, eschar, and exudate.
What is the difference between partial-thickness wounds and full-thickness wounds?
What is the difference between primary intention and secondary intention? What do they indicate about a wound?
– these terms describe what wound edges look like
Concerning exudate (drainage), define serous, purulent, sanguinous, and serosanguinous.
What is hemorrhage?
bleeding
What does infection look like in wound healing? (5)
What is dehiscence?
opening/separation of wound layers; loss of approximation
What is evisceration?
wound opens and something comes out of it
this is an emergency situation
Where do pressure injuries mainly occur? What is the best way to prevent them?
– occurs mostly on bony prominences
– best prevention is to reposition pts q2h and inspect pt skin daily
What is the difference of hot and cold therapies/what purposes do they serve?
– hot:
– cold:
When is moisture therapy useful? (3)