Wound Care and Skin Integrity Flashcards

Which sequence correctly identifies the four phases of wound healing in order?

Answer: Hemostasis, Inflammation, Proliferation, Maturation

Wound healing proceeds sequentially through hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and maturation phases.

A patient has a clean surgical cut made by a scalpel. This wound type is best classified as a(n):

Answer: Incision

An incision is a clean wound made intentionally by a sharp surgical instrument with smooth, well-approximated edges.

During wound assessment, the LPN notes redness, warmth, swelling, and pain around the wound edges. These findings indicate the wound is in which healing phase?

Answer: Inflammation

Redness, heat, swelling, and pain are the cardinal signs of inflammation, which is the second phase of wound healing.

A pressure injury shows full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous fat but no exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. This is classified as:

Answer: Stage 3

Stage 3 pressure injuries involve full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue; bone, tendon, and muscle remain unexposed.

Which dressing type is most appropriate for a dry wound that requires a moist environment to promote healing?

Answer: Hydrocolloid dressing

Hydrocolloid dressings contain gel-forming agents that maintain a moist wound environment, promoting healing in dry wounds.

When cleansing a wound, the LPN should follow which primary principle?

Answer: Cleanse from the cleanest area to the most contaminated area

Wound cleansing proceeds from the least contaminated area (wound center) to the most contaminated area (surrounding skin) to prevent introducing bacteria.

Which patient position best redistributes pressure away from the sacrum to prevent pressure ulcer formation?

Answer: Lateral (side-lying) position

The lateral position shifts weight off the sacrum entirely, which is the most vulnerable bony prominence in supine patients.