Contrary to many myths, wounds that are kept moist heal better than those exposed to the air. Read more Read more on National Centre for Farmer Health website. Tetanus is an acute, sometimes fatal bacterial disease caused by toxins produced by Clostridium tetani.
A bacterial wound culture is a test that is used to detect and identify in a potentially infected wound. Wound and skin infections are a consequence of microorganisms entering the body through wound sites. Authors' conclusions: Although this review suggests that diazepam alone compared with combination of phenobarbitone and chlorpromazine may be more effective in treating tetanus, the small size, methodological limitations and lack of data on drug safety from available trials preclude definite conclusions to support change in current clinical practice.
Read more on Cochrane Australasian Centre website. There are now 6 pressure injury classifications. Pressure injuries may never heal if the patient is failing to consume adequate food and fluids to maintain body functions and assist tissue growth. Read more on Ausmed Education website. The first aid for burns is to run cold water over the burn for 20 minutes.
This is effective for up to three hours after the injury. Assess the affected body Read more on Australian Prescriber website. Skin tears are acute, traumatic injuries caused by shearing, friction or blunt force wherein the layers of skin are separated.
This may be a separation of the epidermis from the dermis or separation of both the epidermis and dermis from underlying structures. They are most common in older adults.
In the context of withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, it is crucial that the concept of addiction and dependence is first acknowledged. Prolonged or excessive use of a substance can lead to tolerance and physical dependence.
This process in itself is complex and depends on many factors. Pruritus can be defined as an unpleasant sensation that evokes the feeling of wanting to scratch. The reason we itch is to protect the skin against noxious stimuli, as scratching or rubbing disrupts the irritant. Pruritis may accompany dermatologic conditions or arise from systemic disease.
Certain people need to take special care if they get cuts or scrapes because their injuries won't heal easily. These include people who:. If you are in any high-risk category, find out what special precautions you should take to avoid injury and what to do if you injure yourself.
The most important thing to remember when dealing with a cut or open wound is to keep it clean. To prevent infection, make sure that anything that touches the scrape or cut is as clean as possible.
This is not always easy, as bacteria are on almost everything in our environment. However, most medical supplies are sterilized and free of bacteria that may cause infection. The first step in treating a cut is to control or stop the bleeding by applying a clean dressing or gauze to the cut with firm and even pressure that is not too hard — you don't want to cut off the circulation. Resist the temptation to lift the gauze and check to see if the blood has stopped, as you might disturb the clotting process.
If there's a lot of blood and it's coming through the padding you're using, don't remove the padding. Clean the wound carefully , wiping away any dirt and grit. Use a clean cotton cloth with a mild disinfectant spray or rinse with cold water, then pat area dry before applying a clean dressing. Do not remove embedded objects, leave that to medical staff.
Usually it is recommended to disinfect the graze or abrasion. In any case, cover the cut or abrasion with a plaster. A plaster will protect the injured area from friction, bacteria and contamination, will absorb wound fluid and create conditions in which the wound can heal undisturbed.
Tip: Special Elastoplast plasters, such as Elastoplast Antibacterial Fabric Plasters , already contain antibacterial silver in the wound pad which will reduce the risk of infection. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist contact your healthcare practitioner. It is a wound care myth that keeping minor cuts and grazes uncovered helps them to heal faster. The contrary is true. Research shows that covered wounds heal more efficiently and have a reduced risk of infection.
Moist wound healing technology, provides safe protection until the wound is completely healed. Usually, wound dressings and plasters should be changed daily for hygienic reasons. If you use an advanced plaster that provides moist wound healing conditions, it is recommended to leave it in place for up to two days or more in order to not interrupt the healing process.
Contact a medical professional as soon as you recognise signs of infection. Symptoms include not only the occurrence of pus but also symptoms such as swelling, redness, heat, pain, itching or burning. There are different types of pain. This arises from damaged tissue. Signals are picked up by sensory receptors in nerve endings in the damaged tissue. The nerves transmit the signals to the spinal cord, and then to the brain where the signals are interpreted as pain, which is often described as aching or throbbing.
This is caused by damage to or dysfunction of the nervous system, and is a major contributor to chronic pain. Patients with wounds often experience a combination of nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Nurses should be aware that a new or unexpected type of pain developing could be the sign of a wound infection.
Pain as a result of wound infection is caused by the inflammatory response, which is triggered when there are microorganisms in the wound. In the presence of high levels of bacteria, white blood cells release enzymes and free radicals, which cause tissue damage. Pain may result from direct stimulation of peripheral pain receptors, tissue damage and from the swelling that occurs as part of the inflammatory response.
If the area surrounding the wound is painful to touch, this should be a cause for concern. Any sudden onset of pain, change in type of pain or increase in intensity of pain in any wound type is therefore a significant indicator for infection Cutting et al, Types of wound pain are outlined in Table 1. Assessing pain should form part of an initial assessment and must be an ongoing process to ensure management strategies are effective.
A pain history should include intensity, quality, location s including radiation , pattern including onset, duration and frequency , and aggravating and relieving factors Hadjistavropoulos et al, ; Herr, Non-verbal cues, such as guarding the wound area, grimacing and restricted movement, should also be noted, particularly if the patient is not able to provide a description of the pain. In some cases, it may be necessary to gather information and a history from other sources, such as the primary caregiver Herr, It is now recognised that pain is complex and is influenced by many factors including emotions, social background, the meaning of the pain to patients, together with their beliefs, attitudes and expectations Price, For example, many older people believe that pain is normal with old age and may refuse to take analgesia Price, Worrying about the reason for the pain is common and, when it is not effectively managed, as may happen in chronic wounds, patients can become depressed, have poor concentration, poor sleep quality and may fear movement, which in turn leads to functional limitations and increasing disability Mason, Prior experiences of pain will also affect patients.
For example, a patient who has previously experienced pain on dressing change will anticipate the pain each time a dressing is changed and will become anxious and tense, resulting in an increase in pain experienced. There are several pain measurement tools available to help patients communicate their level of pain and to allow levels to be monitored over time, with any changes highlighted. Pain diaries are also useful in trying to understand how pain affects a patient on a day-to-day basis Hockenberry et al, Many patients experience pain on dressing removal or change, which is largely preventable with the use of appropriate products EWMA, EWMA found that:.
The principles of wound pain management apply to any painful wound. The appropriate use of analgesics alone and in combination is key to minimising pain Price et al, ; World Union of Wound Healing Societies, Several analgesic regimens may be required for the different types of pain, for example background pain, pain arising from wound procedures, and neuropathic and nociceptive pain.
Unfortunately, not all wound pain responds to systemic analgesics and studies have revealed that there is often a stigma attached to the use of pain-relieving medication.
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