Question

Assignment 1: Application – Diagnosing and Treating Skin Wounds

To prepare:

Consider how to properly diagnose skin wounds in frail elders, including how to distinguish between a colonization and infection.

Select a type of skin wound, such as bumps, bruises, shingles, herpes, bullous pemphigoid, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, etc. Research the guidelines for treatment of the skin wound you selected. Reflect on how you would treat and/or dress this wound.

Think about factors that might contribute to the development of the skin wound you selected. Consider strategies for the prevention and improvement of this type of wound.

To complete:

Write a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses the following:

Explain how to properly diagnose skin wounds in frail elders, including how to distinguish between a colonization and infection.

Describe the type of skin wound you selected.

Explain how you would treat and/or dress this wound based on guidelines for treatment.

Explain factors that might contribute to the development of the skin wound you selected. Include strategies for the prevention and improvement of this type of wound.

Answer 1

Wound assessment should be done carefully for dressing in elders as it may cause huge pain.Wet to dry dressings are often used first.This often applies a wet dressing so that it should be changed oftenly.Keep the blood pressure and sugar levels under control that helps to heal faster.Keep the ulcer clean and bandaged.Use a syring or a catheter tube to wash away dead tissue.Cleanse the wound daily using a wound dressing or bandage.Do not walk bare foot unless the doctore prescribes you to do.The difference between colonization and infection ,the infection means the germs are in or on the body that makes a person sick results in signs and symptoms like fever,pus from a wound etc.Sometimes will be present inside the body but doesnt make the person sick ,this is called colonization.

Diabetic fool ulcer is a major complication of diabetes mellitus,and probably the major component of the diabetic foot.Wound healing in an innate mechanism of action that works reliably most of the time.A key feature of wound healing is stepwise repair of lost extracellular matrix that forms the largest component of the dermal skin layer.It is a metabolic disorder that impedes the normal steps of wound healing process.

Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers should include blood sugar control,removal od dead skin tissue from the wound,wound dressings and removing pressure from the wound through techniques such as total contact casting.Surgery in some cases may improve outcomes.Risk factors implicated in the development of diabetic foot ulcers are infection,older age,diabetic neuropathy,peripheral vascular disease,cigarette smoking,poor glycemic control,precious foot ulcerations etc.Blisters and sores appear on numb areas of the feet and legs such as metatarso-phalangeal joints,heel region and as a result pressure or injury goes unnoticed and eventually become portal of entry for bacteria and infection

Steps to prevent diabetic foot ulcers include:

• People who suffer from diabetic foot ulcer should take special care for their feet,since people may be less aware of pain in their feet due to decreased sensitivity.Keep an eye open on cuts ,cracks.blisters and other signs of the beginning of the wound.
• Choose the right shoes,should be loose enough to be comfortable and not crowd the toes.
• Stop smoking ,as smoking greatly reduces circulation which can exaberate your blood flow issues and sensation problems in the feet.