Skin wounds are sometimes challenging for health care providers to diagnose and treat as many have similar presentations. For advanced practice nurses, being able to identify various types of skin wounds, including whether a wound is a colonization or an infection, is critical because it impacts recommended patient care. In your role, you must be able to evaluate skin wounds, determine the diagnosis, and develop an appropriate treatment and management plan according to current evidence-based guidelines.
To prepare:
- Review Chapter 47 of the Resnick text, as well as the Burr article in this week’s Learning Resources.
- 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.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is essential to educate the students about the identification and treatment of various types of skin wounds. The aim of this assignment is to equip the students with the knowledge and skills to properly diagnose skin wounds in frail elders and distinguish between a colonization and infection, select a type of skin wound, and research the guidelines for its treatment.
1. Explain how to properly diagnose skin wounds in frail elders, including how to distinguish between colonization and infection.
To properly diagnose skin wounds in frail elders, a thorough physical examination should be conducted to identify the type and severity of the skin wound. The healthcare provider should assess the skin color, temperature, texture, presence of exudate, and the surrounding tissue. Colonization occurs when microorganisms live on the skin without causing any harmful effects, while infection occurs when the microorganisms penetrate the skin layers and cause an inflammatory response. Signs of infection include redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and discharge. To distinguish between colonization and infection, the healthcare provider can perform a bacterial culture of the wound site to identify the presence of infectious organisms.
2. Describe the type of skin wound you selected.
The type of skin wound selected is bullous pemphigoid, an autoimmune blistering disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes. It is characterized by the development of fluid-filled blisters and lesions on the skin.
3. Explain how you would treat and/or dress this wound based on guidelines for treatment.
The treatment for bullous pemphigoid involves the use of topical and systemic medications. Topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines can be used to reduce itching and inflammation. Systemic corticosteroids can be used in severe cases. Wound dressing should be performed with non-adhesive dressings or silicone foam dressings to reduce the risk of blister rupture and further damage to the skin.
4. 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.
Factors that might contribute to the development of bullous pemphigoid include age, genetics, environmental triggers, and autoimmune diseases. Prevention strategies include avoiding exposure to environmental triggers such as drugs, chemicals, and infections. Additionally, maintaining good skin hygiene and avoiding trauma to the skin can also prevent the development of bullous pemphigoid. Improvement of the wound can be achieved by early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and close monitoring of the signs and symptoms of the blistering disease. Regular follow-up visits with the healthcare provider can help detect any infection or secondary complication of bullous pemphigoid.
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