Basic Wound Care - Essay Example

Pressure from a hard surface, for instance, a wheelchair or bed can cause an ulcer (Dziedzic, 2013). Involuntary muscle movements are another cause besides moisture, which can break down the epidermis.

We will focus on old age and terminal disease as some of the risk factors. Individuals, who are old have their skin aging out, which results in a loss of elasticity. There is a decline in the blood flow through the skin, which is due to aging effects. Additionally, the amount of fat under the skin decreases as one gets older. All these put together makes the skin vulnerable to damage; hence, an ulcer formation. We will now look at some terminal diseases in patients that can put them at increased risk of pressure ulcers (Qaseem, Humphrey, Forciea, Starkey, & Denberg, 2015).

Type one and two diabetes results in increased blood sugar levels, which disrupts the normal flow of blood. In peripheral arterial disease, the build-up of fatty substances in arteries hampers blood supply to the legs. Heart failure results in reduced blood supply to other parts of the body. Kidney failure results in a build-up of harmful toxins, which can cause damage to tissues. Signs and symptoms of infected woundsThe wound area develop redness and swell excessively. The wound produces a foul odor. Tenderness and throbbing pain in the wound area.

Red streaks in the skin develop around the wound. Watery or pus oozes from the wound. Swelling in the groin, armpit, or neck.Generalized fever or chills. Infection prevention Reducing the risk of infection demands regular hand washing, debridement, and wound cleansing. Protect the wound from exogenous sources of contamination such as feces (Kifer, 2012). When dressing the wound, clean it using sterile water, topical antiseptic, or saline, which reduces the bacterial growth and risk of infection. In cases of foul odor, debridement, and frequent cleansing is necessary.

Techniques for measurement of wounds Measurement monitors the progress made in the healing process through changes in the width, length, volume, and area of the wound. A simple measurement technique involves measuring the linear dimensions of the wound by use of a tape measure (Qaseem, Mir, Starkey, & Denberg, 2015). The wound tracing technique involves the use of a pen to trace the wound outline directly onto a transparent film, which is sterile. Kundin gauge calculates the wound area in three dimensions.