Wounds can be broadly classified as either acute or chronic based on time from initial injury and progression through normal stages of wound healing The wound should be protected from friction and direct blows Both wound types can further be categorized by cause of injury, wound severity/depth, and sterility of the wound bed.
Serosanguineous discharge is viewed closeup, weeping from a graze wound
Explore common wound description terms to improve clarity and deepen your understanding of wound management.
A damaged area of the body, such as a cut or hole in the skin or flesh made by a weapon
Wound, a break in the continuity of any bodily tissue due to an external action, typified by a cut, a bruise, or a hematoma. An injury, usually involving division of tissue or rupture of the integument or mucous membrane, due to external violence or some mechanical agency rather than disease. Wounds can be typed as an incision, contusion, abrasion, laceration, puncture, penetration, avulsion, burn, and ulcer (table 24.7) In order to effectively manage wounds, nurses must first recognize the various wound classifications.
Most common wounds are superficial, limited to the outer skin layers, while some reach the deeper tissues and organs Depending on the cause, site and depth, a wound can range from simple to life threatening. Wounds are generally classified as open or closed Both open and closed wounds often result in bleeding
Open wounds may cause external bleeding, internal bleeding, or both
Closed wounds may cause internal bleeding. Mechanical injury to a wound can greatly impede healing by damaging the tissues involved in the healing process
