Chapter 48: Skin Integrity and Wound Care – Flashcards

ANS: B Patients who are confused or disoriented or who have changing levels of consciousness are unable to protect themselves. The patient may feel the pressure but may not understand what to do to relieve the discomfort or to communicate that he or she is feeling discomfort. Impaired sensory perception, impaired mobility, shear, friction, and moisture are other predisposing factors. Shortness of breath, muscular pain, and a diet low in calories and fat are not included among the predisposing factors.

ANS: A Pressure is the main element that causes pressure ulcers. Three pressure-related factors contribute to pressure ulcer development: pressure intensity, pressure duration, and tissue tolerance. When the intensity of the pressure exerted on the capillary exceeds 12 to 32 mm Hg, this occludes the vessel, causing ischemic injury to the tissues it normally feeds. High pressure over a short time and low pressure over a long time cause skin breakdown. Resistance (the ability to remain unaltered by the damaging effect of something), stress (worry or anxiety), and weight (individuals of all sizes, shapes, and ages acquire skin breakdown) are not major causes of pressure ulcers.

ANS: B The presence and duration of moisture on the skin increase the risk of ulcer formation by making it susceptible to injury. Moisture can originate from wound drainage, excessive perspiration, and fecal or urinary incontinence. Bacteria and enzymes in the stool can enhance the opportunity for skin breakdown because the skin is moistened and softened, causing maceration. Eating a balanced diet is important for nutrition, but eating just two thirds of the meal does not indicate that the individual is at risk. A raised red rash on the leg again is a concern and can affect the integrity of the skin, but it is located on the shin, which is not a high-risk area for skin breakdown. Pressure can influence capillary refill, leading to skin breakdown, but this capillary response is within normal limits.

ANS: C When a pressure ulcer has been staged and is beginning to heal, the ulcer keeps the same stage and is labeled with the words "healing stage." Once an ulcer has been staged, the stage endures even as the ulcer heals. This ulcer was labeled a stage III, it cannot return to a previous stage such as stage I or II. This ulcer is healing, so it is no longer labeled a stage III.

ANS: B This would be a stage II pressure ulcer because it presents as partial-thickness skin loss involving epidermis, dermis, or both. The ulcer is superficial and presents clinically as an abrasion, blister, or shallow crater. Stage I is intact skin with nonblanchable redness over a bony prominence. With a Stage III pressure ulcer, subcutaneous fat may be visible, but bone, tendon, and muscles are not exposed. Stage IV involves full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle.

ANS: D When assessing a patient with darkly pigmented skin, proper lighting is essential to accurately complete the first step in assessment—inspection—and the whole assessment process. Natural light or a halogen light is recommended. Fluorescent light sources can produce blue tones on darkly pigmented skin and can interfere with an accurate assessment. Other items that could possibly be used during the assessment include gloves for infection control, a disposable measuring device to measure the size of the wound, and a cotton-tipped applicator to measure the depth of the wound, but these items not the first item used.

ANS: C Pressure ulcers are full-thickness wounds that extend into the dermis and heal by scar formation because the deeper structures do not regenerate, hence the need for full-thickness repair. The full-thickness repair has three phases: inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling. A wound heals by primary intention when wounds such as surgical wounds have little tissue loss; the skin edges are approximated or closed, and the risk for infection is low. Partial-thickness repairs are done on partial-thickness wounds that are shallow, involving loss of the epidermis and maybe partial loss of the dermis. These wounds heal by regeneration because the epidermis regenerates. Tertiary intention is seen when a wound is left open for several days, and then the wound edges approximated. Wound closure is delayed until risk of infection is resolved.

ANS: A A partial-thickness wound repair has three compartments: the inflammatory response, epithelial proliferation and migration, and re-establishment of the epidermal layers. Epithelial proliferation and migration start at all edges of the wound, allowing for quick resurfacing. Epithelial cells begin to migrate across the wound bed soon after the wound occurs. A wound left open to air resurfaces within 6 to 7 days, whereas a wound that is kept moist can resurface in 4 days. One or 2 days is too soon for this process to occur, moist or dry.

ANS: C Granulation tissue is red, moist tissue composed of new blood vessels, the presence of which indicates progression toward healing. Soft yellow or white tissue is characteristic of slough—a substance that needs to be removed for the wound to heal. Black or brown necrotic tissue is called eschar, which also needs to be removed for a wound to heal. Purulent drainage is indicative of an infection and will need to be resolved for the wound to heal.

ANS: D A clean surgical incision is an example of a wound with little loss of tissue that heals with primary intention. The skin edges are approximated or closed, and the risk for infection is low. Partial-thickness repairs are done on partial-thickness wounds that are shallow, involving loss of the epidermis and maybe partial loss of the dermis. These wounds heal by regeneration because the epidermis regenerates. Tertiary intention is seen when a wound is left open for several days, and then the wound edges are approximated. Wound closure is delayed until the risk of infection is resolved. A wound involving loss of tissue such as a burn or a pressure ulcer or laceration heals by secondary intention. The wound is left open until it becomes filled with scar tissue. It takes longer for a wound to heal by secondary intention; thus the chance of infection is greater.

ANS: B A wound involving loss of tissue such as a burn or a pressure ulcer or laceration heals by secondary intention. The wound is left open until it becomes filled with scar tissue. It takes longer for a wound to heal by secondary intention; thus the chance of infection is greater. A clean surgical incision is an example of a wound with little loss of tissue that heals by primary intention. The skin edges are approximated or closed, and the risk for infection is low. Partial- thickness repair are done on partial-thickness wounds that are shallow, involving loss of the epidermis and maybe partial loss of the dermis. These wounds heal by regeneration because the epidermis regenerates. Tertiary intention is seen when a wound is left open for several days, and then the wound edges are approximated. Wound closure is delayed until the risk of infection is resolved.

ANS: D A wound healing by secondary intention takes longer than one healing by primary intention. The wound is left open until it becomes filled with scar tissue. If the scarring is severe, permanent loss of function often occurs. Wounds that heal by primary intention heal quickly with minimal scarring. Scar tissue contains few pigmented cells and has a lighter color than normal skin.

ANS: D A hematoma is a localized collection of blood underneath the tissues. It appears as swelling, change in color, sensation, or warmth or a mass that often takes on a bluish discoloration. A hematoma near a major artery or vein is dangerous because it can put pressure on the vein or artery and obstruct blood flow. Itching of an incision site can be associated with clipping of hair, dressings, or possibly the healing process. Incisions should be approximated with edges together. After surgery, when nerves in the skin and tissues have been traumatized by the surgical procedure, it is expected that the patient would experience pain.

ANS: A occurs is when a wound fails to heal properly and the layers of skin and tissue separate. It involves abdominal surgical wounds and occurs after a sudden strain such as coughing, vomiting, or sitting up in bed. Patients often report feeling as though something has given way. Evisceration is seen when vital organs protrude through a wound opening. A fistula is an abnormal passage between two organs or between an organ and the outside of the body that can be characterized by chronic drainage of fluid. Infection is characterized by drainage that is odorous and purulent.

ANS: A Normal wound healing requires proper nutrition. Serum proteins are biochemical indicators of malnutrition, and serum albumin is probably the most frequently measured of these parameters. The best measurement of nutritional status is prealbumin because it reflects not only what the patient has ingested, but also what the body has absorbed, digested, and metabolized. Measurement of creatine kinase helps in the diagnosis of myocardial infarcts and has no known role in wound healing. Potassium is a major electrolyte that helps to regulate metabolic activities, cardiac muscle contraction, skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, and transmission and conduction of nerve impulses. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. It is believed to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and cancer. Vitamin E has no known role in wound healing.

ANS: C Oxygen fuels the cellular functions essential to the healing process; the ability to perfuse tissues with adequate amounts of oxygenated blood is critical in wound healing. Blood flow through the pulmonary capillaries provides red blood cells for oxygen attachment. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the pulmonary blood; most of the oxygen attaches to hemoglobin molecules within the red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygenated hemoglobin molecules through the left side of the heart and out to the peripheral capillaries, where the oxygen detaches, depending on the needs of the tissues. Pulse oximetry measures the oxygen saturation of blood. Assessment of muscular strength and sensation, although useful for fitness and mobility testing, does not provide any data with regard to wound healing. Sleep, although important for rest and for integration of learning and restoration of cognitive function, does not provide any data with regard to wound healing. d. Sensation assessment

ANS: A The patient is showing signs and symptoms associated with infection in the wound. It is serious and needs treatment but is not a life-threatening emergency, where care is needed immediately or the patient will suffer long-term consequences. The nurse should complete the assessment; gather all data such as current treatment modalities, medications, vital signs including temperature, and laboratory results such as the most recent complete blood count or white cell count. The nurse can then notify the physician and receive treatment orders for the patient. It is important to notify the charge nurse and consult the wound nurse on the patient's status and on any new orders.

ANS: C Protein needs are especially increased in supporting the activity of wound healing. The physiological processes of wound healing depend on the availability of protein, vitamins (especially A and C), and the trace minerals of zinc and copper. A balanced diet of fat and carbohydrates, along with protein, vitamins, and minerals, is needed in any diet. Wound healing does not require increased amounts of fats or carbohydrates. Vitamin E has no known role in wound healing.

ANS: C The patient's psychological response to any wound is part of the nurse's assessment. Body image changes can influence self-concept. Factors that affect the patient's perception of the wound include the presence of scars, drains, odor from drainage, and temporary or permanent prosthetic devices. The wound is odorous, and a drain is in place. The patient who is asking for a bath and change in linens gives you a clue that he or she may be concerned about the smell in the room. The patient stating that he or she wants to feel better, talking about going home, and caring about what is for dinner could be interpreted as positive statements that indicate progress along the health journey.

ANS: A After determining that a patient's condition is stable, inspect the wound for bleeding. An abrasion will have limited bleeding, a laceration can bleed more profusely, and a puncture wound bleeds in relation to the size and depth of the wound. Address any bleeding issues. Inspect the wound for foreign bodies; traumatic wounds are dirty and may need to be addressed. Determine the size of the wound. A large open wound may expose bone or tissue and be protected, or the wound may need suturing. When the wound is caused by a dirty penetrating object, determine the need for a tetanus vaccination.

ANS: B Because removal of dressings is painful, if often helps to give an analgesic at least 30 minutes before exposing a wound and changing the dressing. The next sequence of events includes gathering supplies for the dressing change, donning gloves, and avoiding the accidental removal of the drain during the procedure.

ANS: B Because a drainage system needs to be patent, look for drainage flow through the tubing, as well as around the tubing. A sudden decrease in drainage through the tubing may indicate a blocked drain, and you will need to notify the physician. The health care provider determines the need for drain removal and removes drains. Notifying the charge nurse, although important for communication, is not the next step in providing care for this patient. The evacuator may be compressed when a blockage is present.

ANS: B A low-air-loss therapy unit is utilized for stage IV pressure ulcers and when prevention or treatment of skin breakdown is needed. If the patient has a stage III or stage IV ulcer or a postoperative myocutaneous flap, the low-air-loss therapy unit would be an appropriate selection. A static air mattress or nonpowered redistribution is utilized for the patient at high risk for skin breakdown. A standard mattress is utilized for an individual who does not have actual or potential altered or impair skin integrity. Lateral rotation is used for treatment and prevention of pulmonary complications associated with mobility.

ANS: C Débridement is the removal of nonviable necrotic tissue. Removal of necrotic tissue is necessary to rid the ulcer of a source of infection, to enable visualization of the wound bed, and to provide a clean base for healing. A wound will not move through the phases of healing if the wound is infected. Irrigating the wound with noncytotoxic cleaners will not damage or kill fibroblasts and healing tissue and will help to keep the wound clean once débrided. When treating a pressure ulcer, it is important to monitor and reassess the wound at least every 8 hours. Management of drainage will help keep the wound clean.

ANS: C Clean pressure ulcers with noncytotoxic cleansers such as normal saline, which will not kill fibroblasts and healing tissue. Cytotoxic cleansers such as Dakin's solution, acetic acid, povidone-iodine, and hydrogen peroxide can hinder the healing process and should not be utilized on clean granulating wounds. Consulting a dietitian for the nutritional needs of the patient, utilizing a low-air-loss therapy unit to decrease pressure, and applying hydrogel dressings to provide a moist environment for healing are all orders that would be appropriate.

ANS: A The nurse continually assesses the skin for signs of ulcer development. Assessment of tissue pressure damage includes visual and tactile inspection of the skin. Observe pressure points such as bony prominences and areas next to treatments such as a binasal cannula and the nares. Assessment of pulses, breath sounds, and bowel sounds is part of a head-to-toe assessment and could influence the function of the body and ultimately skin integrity; however, this assessment is not a specific part of a skin assessment.

ANS: C With use of the Braden scale, the patient receives 3 for slight sensory impairment, 4 for skin being rarely moist, 3 for walks occasionally, 3 for slightly limited mobility, 4 for intake of meals, and 4 for no problem with friction and shear. The total score is 20.

ANS: B Maintaining adequate pain control and patient comfort increases the patient's willingness and ability to increase mobility, which in turn reduces pressure ulcer risks. It is good to encourage a patient to move about but even better if the patient actually sits up in the chair. Explaining the risk of immobility is important for the patient because it may impact the patient's willingness but not his or her ability. Turning the patient is important for decreasing pressure ulcers but needs to be done every 2 hours, and again does not influence the patient's ability to increase mobility.

ANS: C After the assessment is completed and the information that the patient has a stage IV pressure ulcer is gathered, a diagnosis of Impaired skin integrity is selected. Readiness for enhanced nutrition would be selected for an individual with an adequate diet that could be improved. Impaired physical mobility and Chronic pain, as well as the nutrition nursing diagnosis, could well be the nursing diagnoses selected for this patient, but current data in the question strongly support Impaired skin integrity.

ANS: A The area on the heel has experienced a decreased supply of blood and oxygen (tissue perfusion), which has resulted in tissue damage. The most appropriate nursing diagnosis with this information is Ineffective tissue perfusion. Risk for infection, Acute pain, and Imbalanced nutrition may be part of this patient's nursing diagnosis, but the data provided do not support this nursing diagnosis.

ANS: C The number one way to decrease the risk of infection by breaking the chain of infection is to wash hands. Encouraging fluid and food intake helps with overall wellness and wound healing, especially protein, but an increase in carbohydrates and fats does not relate to the risk of infection. If the patient will be discharged before the wound is healed, the family will certainly need education on how to care for the patient. Teaching the family how to manage the odor associated with a wound is certainly important, but these interventions do not directly relate to the risk of infection and breaking the chain of the infectious process.

ANS: B Assessment and a plan for the patient to optimize the diet are essential. Adequate calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals promote wound healing. The nurse is the coordinator of care, and collaborating with the dietitian would result in planning the best meals for the patient. The respiratory therapist can be consulted when a patient has issues with the respiratory system. Case management can be consulted when the patient has a discharge need. A chaplain can be consulted when the patient has a spiritual need.

ANS: C Because the patient has an open wound and the skin is no longer intact to protect the tissue, the patient is at increased risk for infection. The nurse will be assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of infection, including an increase in temperature, an increase in white count, and odorous and purulent drainage from the wound. The patient is unconscious and is unable to communicate the signs and symptoms of infection; also, this is an intervention, not a goal for this diagnosis. It is important for the patient's family to be able to demonstrate how to care for the wound and wash their hands, but these statements are interventions, not goals or outcomes for this nursing diagnosis

ANS: C Heat causes vasodilatation and is used to improve blood flow to an injured body part. The application of heat incorrectly when the treatment is too hot, or is applied too long or to the wrong place, can result in a burn for the patient and risk for additional trauma. The skin already has impaired integrity owing to the surgical procedure, and because of this has been at risk for infection since the surgical procedure was performed. This patient is of childbearing age and has had a child. Additional needs for nutrition are present during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but this is an established nursing diagnosis. Data are insufficient to support the nursing diagnosis of Imbalanced nutrition.

ANS: B Clean dressings as opposed to sterile dressings are recommended for home use. This recommendation is in keeping with principles regarding nosocomial infection, and it takes into account the expense of sterile dressings and the dexterity required for application. The caregiver can use the same no touch technique for dressing changes that is used for changing surface dressings without touching the wound or the surface that might come in contact with the wound. Double bagging is required for the disposal of contaminated dressings. The dressings go in a bag, which is fastened and then placed in the household trash. The ability of the caregiver certainly is a component of the success of home treatment, but it does not influence the cost of supplies.

ANS: A Assessment and skin hygiene are two initial defenses for preventing skin breakdown. Avoid soaps and hot water when cleansing the skin. Use gentle cleansers with nonionic surfactants. After bathing, make sure to dry the skin completely, and apply moisturizer to keep the epidermis well lubricated. Absorbent pads and garments are controversial and should be considered only when other alternatives have been exhausted. Positioning the patient reduces pressure and shearing force to the skin and is part of the plan of care but is not one of the initial components. Depending on the needs of the patient, a specialty bed may be needed, but again, this does not provide the initial defense for skin breakdown

ANS: C When patients are able to sit up in a chair, make sure to limit the amount of time to 2 hours or less. The chair sitting time should be individualized. In the sitting position, pressure on the ischial tuberosities is greater than in a supine position. Utilize foam, gel, or an air cushion to distribute weight. Longer than 2 hours can increase the chance of ischemia.

ANS: C When repositioning the patient, obtain assistance and utilize a transfer sliding board under the patient's body to prevent dragging the patient on bed sheets and placing the patient at high risk for shearing and friction injuries. The patient should be placed in a 30-degree lateral position, not supine position. The head of the bed should be elevated less than 30 degrees to prevent pressure ulcer development from shearing forces.

ANS: A Stage I intact pressure ulcers that resolve slowly without epidermal loss over 7 to 14 days do not require a dressing. This allows visual inspection and monitoring. A transparent dressing could be used to protect the patient from shear but cannot be used in the presence of excessive moisture. A composite film, hydrocolloid, or hydrogel can be utilized on a clean stage II. A hydrocolloid, hydrogel covered with foam, calcium alginate, gauze, and growth factors can be utilized with a clean stage III. Hydrogel, calcium alginate, gauze, and growth factors can be utilized with a clean stage IV. An unstageable wound cover with eschar should utilize a dressing of adherent film or gauze with an ordered solution of enzymes. In rare cases when eschar is dry and intact, no dressing is used, but this is an unstaged ulcer.

ANS: B Explaining the procedure educates the patient regarding the dressing change and involves him in his care, thereby allowing the patient some control in decreasing anxiety. Telling the patient to close his eyes and turning on the television are distractions that do not usually decrease a patient's anxiety. If the family is a support system, asking support systems to leave the room can actually increase a patient's anxiety.

ANS: C Cleanse surgical or traumatic wounds by applying noncytotoxic solution with sterile gauze or irrigations. Cleanse in a direction from the least contaminated area. Use gentle friction when applying solutions to the skin, and allow irrigation to flow from the least to the most contaminated area.

ANS: B The patient has a large abdominal incision. This incision will need support, and an abdominal binder will support this wound, especially during movement, as well as during deep breathing and coughing. A binder can be used to create pressure over a body part, for example, over an artery after it has been punctured. A binder can be used to prevent edema, for example, in an extremity but is not used to reduce edema at a surgical site. A binder can be used to secure dressings such as elastic webbing applied around a leg after vein stripping.

ANS: C Ice assists in preventing edema formation, controlling bleeding, and anesthetizing the body part. Elevation assists in preventing edema, which in turn can cause pain. Monitoring vital signs every 15 minutes is routine postoperative care and includes a pain assessment but in itself is not an intervention that decreases pain. Applying a brace provides support and decreases the opportunity for additional trauma, which in turn assists in the healing process. Checking the pulses is important to monitor the circulation of the extremity but in itself is not a pain management intervention.

ANS: D The Braden scale is composed of six subscales: sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction and shear. The total score ranges from 6 to 23, and a lower total score indicates a higher risk for pressure ulcer development. The cutoff score for onset of pressure ulcer risk with the Braden scale in the general adult population is 18. The best sign is a perfect score of 23.

ANS: A, B, C, D A registered dietitian is useful in working with the nurse to determine a meal plan that will support wound healing. An enterostomal or wound care nurse specializes in caring for the needs of the patient with wounds. Physical therapy is concerned about the mobility of the patient and can assist an immobile patient to progress toward mobility and decrease the risk for pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers take a long time to heal and usually require continued therapy in the home. Case management personnel are useful in obtaining care for the patient outside the home. If the patient has a spiritual need, the chaplain can assist. If the patient has a need associated with medications, the pharmacist can assist. However, chaplains and pharmacists usually are not part of the wound care multidisciplinary team, unless a special need arises.

ANS: A, C, D, F Normal wound healing requires proper nutrition. Oxygen and the ability to provide adequate amounts of oxygenated blood are critical for wound healing. Wound infection prolongs the inflammatory phase, delays collagen synthesis, prevents epithelialization, and decreases the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which leads to additional tissue destruction. As patients age, all aspects of wound healing are delayed. Hemorrhage and evisceration are complications of wound healing.

ANS: A, B, C, D Changing positions is important for decreasing the pressure associated with long periods of time in the same position. If the patient is able to feel heat or cold and is mobile, he can protect himself by withdrawing from the source. Knowing toileting habits and any potential for incontinence is important because urine and feces in contact with the skin for long periods can increase skin breakdown. Knowing whether the patient has problems with mobility such as pain will alert the nurse to any potential for decreased movement and increased risk for skin breakdown. Medications and falling are safety risk questions.

ANS: B, C, D, E Assessment of the skin includes both visual and tactile inspection. Assess for hyperemia and abnormal reactive hyperemia (when the skin turns red after an obstruction of blood flow returns and vasodilatation causes the tissue to turn red). Assess for indurated (hardened) areas on the skin and palpate reddened areas for blanching. Changes in temperature can indicate changes in blood flow to that area of the skin. Mobility and nutritional status are certainly part of the overall assessment for pressure ulcer risk but are not part of the actual skin assessment.

ANS: A, B, C, D Before applying a bandage or a binder, the nurse has several responsibilities. The nurse would need to inspect the skin for abrasions, edema, and discoloration or exposed wound edges. The nurse also is responsible for covering exposed wounds or open abrasions with a sterile dressing and assessing the condition of underlying dressings and changing if soiled, as well as assessing the skin of underlying areas that will be distal to the bandage. This checks for signs of circulatory impairment, so that a comparison can be made after bandages are applied. Marking the sites of all abrasions is not necessary. Although it is important for the skin to be clean, and even though it may need to be cleaned with a noncytotoxic cleanser, cleansing with hydrogen peroxide can interfere with wound healing.

ANS: B, D, E, F Optimal outcomes are to prevent injury to skin and tissues, reduce injury to skin, reduce injury to underlying tissues, and restore skin integrity. Asking the patient's perceptions and whether expectations are being met allows one to obtain information regarding the experience, but these are not actual measurable outcomes.