Description #
Description to follow
Learning Objectives #
Upon completion of this module, the student will:
1. be able to assess wounds based on their color, drainage, periwound skin, size.
2. understand the differences between black eschar, yellow slough, granulation tissue, and new epithelization.
3. be able to describe/identify a partial thickness and a full thickness wound.
4. be able to describe/identify the stages of pressure ulcers.
5. understand the need for regular accurate wound assessments.
Accessing This Course #
This unit contains a CyberPatient module, which is a highly interactive patient-care simulator that provides a safe environment to apply your knowledge and practice your skills. This unit also has a video available under Video Resources in the resources pane that you may access and complete at your personal pace. Furthermore, there is content available for download under Additional Materials in the resources pane that you may access.
These resources are available to complement the pages found in the content navigation panel on the right side of the page.
General Wound Classification #
There are three ways in which wounds are classified: acute versus chronic; partial thickness versus full thickness; and the pressure ulcer staging system specifically for pressure ulcers.
Acute and chronic wounds heal differently. Acute wounds heal by primary intention. A surgical incision that has been sutured is an example of an acute wound that heals by primary intention. An acute wound is defined as a tissue defect caused by external trauma (accidental or intentional). An acute wound initiates a predictable sequence of events resulting in healing.
General Wound Classification #
There are three ways in which wounds are classified: acute versus chronic; partial thickness versus full thickness; and the pressure ulcer staging system specifically for pressure ulcers.
Acute and chronic wounds heal differently. Acute wounds heal by primary intention. A surgical incision that has been sutured is an example of an acute wound that heals by primary intention. An acute wound is defined as a tissue defect caused by external trauma (accidental or intentional). An acute wound initiates a predictable sequence of events resulting in healing.
In contrast, a chronic wound which may have developed intentionally or accidentally as well, has an underlying healing defect that inhibits the expected wound healing sequence. The cause is usually internal; such as infection, malnutrition, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease. A wound is considered a chronic wound after 4 -8 weeks.
A chronic wound does not heal by primary intention. A chronic wound generally heals by secondary intention, meaning the wound heals from the bottom up.
Phases of Wound Healing #
In order to determine where a wound is at in regards to wound healing, it is helpful to understand the stages that wounds go through to heal. The three stages (sometimes referred to as four stages) include:
- Inflammation
- Reconstruction
- Epithelization and Maturation (this is discussed in the literature as one stage or two different stages).
