Wound Care WCEI
What is an Acute wound?
Disruption in the integrity of the skin and underlying tissues in which healing progresses in
timely and uncomplicated manner: Surgical/trauma
What is medical battery?
A failure to obtain informed consent before providing services to a patient even if services
are in the patient's best interest and follow standards or practice
What is non-adherence?
When a patient does not comply with or adhere to interventions that the healthcare provider
deems necessary
What are some recommended interventions when dealing with a non-adherent patient?
Set up mutually compatible goals. Negotiate treatment plan w/pt. Discuss any problems the
pt is having w/the plan. Make complex plans easier to understand and follow.
What is a standard of care?
Measures of care established by professional organization that are generally accepted by
the profession.
What is a recalcitrant wound?
A wound that fails to respond to interventions after 2-4 weeks despite multiple interventions.
What is a chronic wound?
A wound that has failed to proceed orderly through the healing process Examples: Pressure
injury, venous ulcer
Describe the structure of the Dermis.
Thick, dense, Fibroelastic, connective tissue that is highly vascularized.
What is the function of the epidermis
Provide a barrier against toxic substances and microorganisms, prevent water loss, and
repel water.
,What is the function of the mast cell
Use histamine and heparin to assist with blood clotting.
What is the function of Langerhans cells
Are the first line of defense against environmental antigens by capturing, uptaking, and
processing antigens that stimulate an immune response.
What cells are located in the epidermis?
keratinocytes, melanocytes, langerhans cells, merkel cells
What structure are found in the reticular layer of the dermis?
Nerves, Sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles.
What is the function of a platelet?
Form a platelet plug as part of the clotting process
What is the difference between constitutive and facultative skin color
The amount of melanin in the skin before exposure to UV radiation and hormones
(constitutive) vs the amount after exposure to UV radiation and hormones (facultative)
What are the functions of the skin?
Protection, immunity, thermoregulation, sensation, metabolism, and communication.
What is the function of the macrophage
Ingest dead tissue and cells, repair injured tissues and act as a defense mechanism
Describe the structure of the epidermis
Consist of 5 layers of mostly dead cells, is avascular, and averages 0.1mm in thickness.
What is the function of the red blood cell
To attract and move oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells through hemoglobin
What substance does the keratinocyte produce and what is the function of that substance?
Keratin, a fibrous protein that makes the epidermis tough
What is the function of desmosomes?
, Bind keratinocytes together and provide strength to each layer of the skin as the
keratinocytes move to the surface
What are the most common types of white blood cells?
Lymphocytes and neutrophils
What is the average life span of a red blood cell?
120 days
What color is fascia and what is it's function?
White and shiny sheath-like covering for muscles, nerves, and blood vessels that keeps
muscle fibers in tight bundles so they can act as a single unit.
What are the functions of the dermis?
Nourishment, protection, sensation, and thermoregulation.
How is thermoregulation accomplished by the skin?
Through vasodilation (expanding of blood vessels) and vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood
vessels) to dissipate and retain heat through the release of sweat.
What is the acid mantle?
Acidic coating formed from sebum and sweat that delays the growth of microorganisms on
the skin.
What happens to the basement membrane with aging and what can it lead to?
Flattens out with age decreasing the surface area between skin layers. leads to skin that is
more susceptible to trauma.
What is the outermost component of the dermis and what is its function?
Extracellular matrix provides structural support, regulates cellular functions, lubricates cells,
and provides a transport system for nutrients and waste products.
What is the function of melanin?
It protects DNA from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation
Where is the basement membrane located and what is the function?
Located btwn the epidermis and dermis; Provides structural support to the skin and
facilitates the exchange of fluid and cells btwn the skin layers.
What is an Acute wound?
Disruption in the integrity of the skin and underlying tissues in which healing progresses in
timely and uncomplicated manner: Surgical/trauma
What is medical battery?
A failure to obtain informed consent before providing services to a patient even if services
are in the patient's best interest and follow standards or practice
What is non-adherence?
When a patient does not comply with or adhere to interventions that the healthcare provider
deems necessary
What are some recommended interventions when dealing with a non-adherent patient?
Set up mutually compatible goals. Negotiate treatment plan w/pt. Discuss any problems the
pt is having w/the plan. Make complex plans easier to understand and follow.
What is a standard of care?
Measures of care established by professional organization that are generally accepted by
the profession.
What is a recalcitrant wound?
A wound that fails to respond to interventions after 2-4 weeks despite multiple interventions.
What is a chronic wound?
A wound that has failed to proceed orderly through the healing process Examples: Pressure
injury, venous ulcer
Describe the structure of the Dermis.
Thick, dense, Fibroelastic, connective tissue that is highly vascularized.
What is the function of the epidermis
Provide a barrier against toxic substances and microorganisms, prevent water loss, and
repel water.
,What is the function of the mast cell
Use histamine and heparin to assist with blood clotting.
What is the function of Langerhans cells
Are the first line of defense against environmental antigens by capturing, uptaking, and
processing antigens that stimulate an immune response.
What cells are located in the epidermis?
keratinocytes, melanocytes, langerhans cells, merkel cells
What structure are found in the reticular layer of the dermis?
Nerves, Sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles.
What is the function of a platelet?
Form a platelet plug as part of the clotting process
What is the difference between constitutive and facultative skin color
The amount of melanin in the skin before exposure to UV radiation and hormones
(constitutive) vs the amount after exposure to UV radiation and hormones (facultative)
What are the functions of the skin?
Protection, immunity, thermoregulation, sensation, metabolism, and communication.
What is the function of the macrophage
Ingest dead tissue and cells, repair injured tissues and act as a defense mechanism
Describe the structure of the epidermis
Consist of 5 layers of mostly dead cells, is avascular, and averages 0.1mm in thickness.
What is the function of the red blood cell
To attract and move oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells through hemoglobin
What substance does the keratinocyte produce and what is the function of that substance?
Keratin, a fibrous protein that makes the epidermis tough
What is the function of desmosomes?
, Bind keratinocytes together and provide strength to each layer of the skin as the
keratinocytes move to the surface
What are the most common types of white blood cells?
Lymphocytes and neutrophils
What is the average life span of a red blood cell?
120 days
What color is fascia and what is it's function?
White and shiny sheath-like covering for muscles, nerves, and blood vessels that keeps
muscle fibers in tight bundles so they can act as a single unit.
What are the functions of the dermis?
Nourishment, protection, sensation, and thermoregulation.
How is thermoregulation accomplished by the skin?
Through vasodilation (expanding of blood vessels) and vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood
vessels) to dissipate and retain heat through the release of sweat.
What is the acid mantle?
Acidic coating formed from sebum and sweat that delays the growth of microorganisms on
the skin.
What happens to the basement membrane with aging and what can it lead to?
Flattens out with age decreasing the surface area between skin layers. leads to skin that is
more susceptible to trauma.
What is the outermost component of the dermis and what is its function?
Extracellular matrix provides structural support, regulates cellular functions, lubricates cells,
and provides a transport system for nutrients and waste products.
What is the function of melanin?
It protects DNA from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation
Where is the basement membrane located and what is the function?
Located btwn the epidermis and dermis; Provides structural support to the skin and
facilitates the exchange of fluid and cells btwn the skin layers.
