Community Pharmacy and Practice (313) Flashcards
(106 cards)
What is a wound defined as?
A wound is defined as an injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact: typically one in which the skin is cut or broken.
What causes wounds?
- mechanical injury
- falls etc
- immobility → bed sores/pressure injuries
- burn
- underlying medical condition
- chronic illness → people with Diabetes can get infected wounds after a knock or scratch
- infections → post surgery/insect bites
What factors should be considered when assessing wound healing?
- the age of the individual
- location of the wound
- medical factors - are they Diabetic?
- allergies - some people are allergic to plaster
- nutritional factors - malnourished heal slower
- shock + pain - may take longer to treat
- type of wound
- pre-existing injuries
- is it infected - slows healing
- the healing stage
- socioeconomic factors - can afford better care
- how deep is the wound?
What are the signs of a wound?
The signs of a wound are:
- a cut to the skin
- graze
- redness/swelling
What are the symptoms of necrosis?
- pain
- skin discolouration (redness, then through dark red/purple/black)
- swelling
- abnormal sensation i.e. tingling to then no sensation (numbness)
- skin appears hard, dry and waxy
- skin death and decomposition (gangrene)
What type of dressings should be used on a necrotic wound with low exudate?
- hydrocolloid
- hydrogel
What type of dressings should be used on a necrotic wound with moderate exudate?
- hydrocolloid
- foam
- hydrocolloid fibrous
What does a sloughy wound look like?
Sloughy wounds will have dead yellow or black/yellow tissue that needs to be removed

What types of dressing are suitable for a sloughy wound with low levels of exudate?
- hydrocolloid
- hydrogel
What types of dressings are suitable for a sloughy wound with moderate levels of exudate?
- hydrocolloid
- alginate
What types of dressings are suitable for a sloughy wound with heavy exudate?
- alginate
- capillary-acting
- hydrocolloid-fibrous
What is the appearance of a granulating wound?
Red/pink tissue which is moist in appearance.

What sort of dressings are suitable for a granulating wound with low levels of exudate?
- hydrocolloid
- low adherence
- soft polymer
- foam
What type of dressings are suitable for a granulating wound with moderate levels of exudate?
- hydrocolloid
- alginate
- foam
What type of dressings are suitable for a granulating wound with heavy exudate?
- alginate
- foam
- hydrocolloid
What does an epithelialising wound look like?
An epithelialising wound is pink tissue that is a regeneration of skin surface.

What sort of dressings are suitable for an epithelialising wound with low levels of exudate?
- low-adherence
- vapour-permeable firms and membranes
- soft polymer
- hydrocolloid
What type of dressings are suitable for epithelialising wounds with moderate levels of exudate?
- soft polymer
- foam
- alginate
What does an infected wound look like?
An infected wound will appear malodorous, oozing, infected with bacteria.

What type of dressings are suitable for wounds with signs of infection and low levels of exudate?
- honey
- low-adherence
- iodine
- hydrocolloid
What type of dressings are suitable for a wound with signs of infection and moderate levels of exudate?
- hydrocolloid
- foam
- honey
- alginate
- iodine
What type of dressings are suitable for a wound with suspected infection and heavy exudate?
- hydrocolloid
- foam
- alginate
What are the general roles of vitamin A within the body?
Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal & soft tissue, mucous membranes & skin. It helps the body’s natural defence against illness and infection. It also helps vision in dim light.
What are common dietary sources of vitamin A?
- cheese
- eggs
- oily fish
- fortified low-fat spreads
- liver
- spinach
- carrots
- kale
- sweet potato
- red peppers
- mango
- papaya