Skin & Wound Healing

Question 1

Describe 4 basic a&p facts regarding the skin

Answer 1

• largest organ in the body
• there for protection and sensation
• makes up 10% of adult body weight
• has a 3 layer structure: Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis

Question 2

Name 4 functions of the human skin

Answer 2

• to protect the body by acting as a barrier to radiation, chemical and microorganisms
• synthesize vitamin D
• outer boundary for the body that helps preserve balance
• thermoregulation
• for sensation: Heat, cold, touch and pain

Question 3

What is the definition of a wound

Answer 3

An injury to living tissue causing discontinuity to the epithelium and therefore a breakdown in protective function

Question 4

List 6 causes of a wound

Answer 4

Incision (cut)
Burn
Laceration
Contusion (bruise)
Disease
Puncture (stab wound)

Question 5

Common wounds in perinatal women

Answer 5

LSCS wound
Tears to the genital tract
Episiotomy wound
Nipple abrasions

Question 6

List the 4 phases of wound healing

Answer 6

Haemostasis
Inflammatory phase
Proliferation phase
Maturation phase

Question 7

Describe haemostasis

Answer 7

• aim is for minimal blood loss without forming a haemotoma

- is the process of constriction of blood supply and where platelets begin the clotting

Question 8

Describe the inflammatory phase

Answer 8

Normally from days 1-5:
A normal inflammatory response isolates the damaged tissue and decreases the risk of infection
Clot and wound tissues release pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors
At this stage, the wound will appear red, swollen and hot

Days 4-6:
Open blood supply cleanses wound
Leucocytes maintain the host response by destroying bacteria and pathogens
Macrophage engulf and ingest invading bacteria

Question 9

Describe the proliferation stage

Answer 9

This is the growth of new tissue, growth factors include cellular migration, division and proliferation
Vascular cells form a new network of blood cells
New collagen and fibroblasts enlarge and migrate

Question 10

Describe the maturation / remodeling phase

Answer 10

Can be from day 21 up to a year
It is the final phase once the wound has closed
Collagen fibres reorientate themselves along lines of tension in the wound
Cellular activity is reduced at this point

Question 11

Name the 3 types of healing

Answer 11

Primary intention
Secondary intention
Tertiary intention

Question 12

What is wound healing

Answer 12

A physiological process by which the body replaces and restores the function of damaged tissue

Question 13

What are the objectives of healing

Answer 13

• to control bleeding
• to prevent infection
• regenerate and repair as quick as possible with minimum pain and scaring