Wound Care Guide
By: Juan Aguado
Types of wounds
Abrasions
- skin Scraped Against rough surface
- Top layer of skin wears away
- Increased risk of infection
Laceration
- sharp or pointed object tears tissues - results in wound with jagged edges
- result in tissue avulsion
Incision
- wound with smooth edges
puncture wounds
- can easily occur during activity and can be fatal
- penetration of tissue an result in intro to tetanus bacillus to blood stream
Avulsion wounds
- skin torn from body which comes with major bleeding
- take to hospital for reattachment
Step by step instructions for caring for wounds
- First step: always wear gloves
- Second step: All wounds should be treated as if they have been contaminated with blood borne pathogens
- Third step: to minimize infection clean with large amounts of soap and water
- Fourth step: apply pressure to wound to stop bleeding.
- Fifth step: See if they need stitches in less then 12 hours
- Sixth step: if they do see a doctor
Control external bleeding
- Direct pressure:
- Pressure on the wound with gauze
- Do not remove if blood comes through- add more Gauze
- Elevation:
- Elevate above heart if possible- slows bleeding
- continue pressure
- Pressure Points:
- Apply pressure to an artery to decrease blood to an area
- Brachial artery (upper arm)
- Femoral Artery (top of thigh)
tips when stitches are necessary
- Deep lacerations
- may be needed if wound edges cannot be easily pushed back together
- Decision should be made by Physician
- sutures should be made by a physician
- can use steri-strips if stitches are not required
Signs of Wound infection
- Pain
- heat
- redness
- swelling
- disordered Function
- Puss may form due to accumulation o white blood cells
- Fever may develop