Tissue Integrity--Wound Key Terms

Question 1

abcess

Answer 1

a painful collection of pus usually caused by a bacterial infection

Question 2

biofilm

Answer 2

the microorganisms that grow on the surface of a wound

Question 3

debridement

Answer 3

removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue

Question 4

dehiscence

Answer 4

when previously closed wound edges rupture

Question 5

dermis

Answer 5

makes up the largest portion of the skin, middle layer of connective tissue between epidermis and subcutaneous tissue

Question 6

desiccation

Answer 6

to remove moisture from something that normally contains moisture

Question 7

dressing

Answer 7

used to protect and heal wounds, there are many different kinds

Question 8

epidermis

Answer 8

outer layer of skin, stratified epithelial cells made up of mainly keratinocytes

Question 9

epithelialization

Answer 9

epithelial cells at wound edges proliferate to form a new surface layer that is similar to that which was destroyed by the injury

Question 10

erythema

Answer 10

redness of the skin caused by dilation of capillaries, sign of inflammation

Question 11

eschar

Answer 11

devitalized tissue resulting from a burn or wound

Question 12

evisceration

Answer 12

when internal tissues and organs extrude from an open wound

Question 13

exudate

Answer 13

fluid and leukocytes that move to the site of injury from the circulatory system in response to local inflammation

Question 14

fistula

Answer 14

an abnormal connection between 2 different areas of tissue or organs

Question 15

friction

Answer 15

the force of rubbing two surfaces against each other, often caused by pulling a patient over a bed sheet or a poorly fitted prosthetic

Question 16

granulation tissue

Answer 16

connective tissue that forms on the surface of a healing wound

Question 17

hematoma

Answer 17

tumorlike mass of blood trapped under the skin

Question 18

ischemia

Answer 18

caused by unrelieved pressure, the cutaneous tissue becomes broken or destroyed leading to progressive destruction and necrosis of underlying soft tissue and the resulting pressure injury is painful and slow to heal

Question 19

maceration

Answer 19

softening of the skin caused by moisture

Question 20

necrosis

Answer 20

death of body tissue

Question 21

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)

Answer 21

used to heal complex wounds

Question 22

pressure injury

Answer 22

a localized area of necrotic soft tissue that occurs when pressure applied to the skin is greater than the normal capillary closure pressure over a period of time sufficient to cause tissue injury

Question 23

purulent drainage

Answer 23

pus, suggests infection

Question 24

sanguineous drainage

Answer 24

bloody drainage

Question 25

serosanguineous drainage

Answer 25

bloody/fluidy drainage

Question 26

shear

Answer 26

the result of exerting a parallel force on the patient’s body such as the resistance between the patient and the chair or bed when the patient slides down

Question 27

slough

Answer 27

soft, moist avascular tissue, may be white, yellow, tan, gray, or green and may be loose or firmly adherent

Question 28

subcutaneous tissue

Answer 28

• innermost layer of skin
• primarily adipose and connective tissue
• provides a cushion between skin layers and muscles and bones

Question 29

wound

Answer 29

a break in the skin or other body tissues caused by injury or surgical incision