NU129 UNIT 8: WOUNDS (FINAL COMPLETE MASTER GUIDE) Summer 2026 Galen

UNIT 8: WOUNDS (FINAL COMPLETE MASTER GUIDE)



0. WHAT IS A WOUND? (NEW FOUNDATION)

Wound = break in skin or tissue integrity



1. TYPES OF WOUNDS (FULL SECTION ADDED)

OPEN WOUNDS

Skin is broken

Type Description Memory

Incision Clean cut (surgery) “Intentional cut”

Laceration Jagged tear “Ripped”

Abrasion Scrape (superficial) “Road rash”

Puncture Deep narrow hole (nail) HIGH infection

Penetration Object enters body

Perforation Object goes THROUGH

Avulsion Tissue torn away

Amputation Limb removed

Crush injury Compression damage



CLOSED WOUNDS

Skin intact, damage underneath

Type Description

Contusion (bruise) Bleeding under skin

,Type Description

Hematoma Blood collection

Sprain Ligament injury



2. WOUND DEPTH

 Superficial → epidermis

 Partial thickness → dermis

 Full thickness → fat/muscle



3. SKIN ASSESSMENT (DARK SKIN — TESTED)

You WILL be tested on this

Look for:

 Purple/blue hues (not red!)

 Warm or cool areas

 Boggy (soft) or firm

 Swelling

Tools:

 Halogen light (better visualization)

Care:

 Moisturize skin

 Frequent checks

Explain like I’m 5:
“Darker skin doesn’t turn red → look for color changes + feel it”



4. EXUDATE (DRAINAGE) — FULL BREAKDOWN

, Definition:

Fluid from wound



TYPES + MEANING

Type Color Meaning

Serous Clear/yellow Normal

Serosanguineous Pink Healing

Sanguineous Red Bleeding

Purulent Yellow/green Infection



AMOUNT:

 Scant

 Moderate

 Large



5. INFECTION (EXPANDED)

SIGNS:

 Redness

 Warmth

 Pain

 Swelling

 Purulent drainage

 Fever



CRITICAL RULE: