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| Wounds |
|
| Acute wound |
Caused by trauma or surgery and usually requiring limited local care. |
| Chronic wound |
Takes longer than usual to heal because of underlying conditions, such as pressure, diabetes mellitus, poor circulation, poor nutritional state, immunodeficiencies, or infection. |
| Full-thickness wound |
Tissue destruction extending through the second layer of skin (dermis) to involve subcutaneous tissue under and possibly muscle or bone; tissue can appear snowy white, gray, or brown, with a firm leathery texture. |
| Laceration |
Torn or jagged wound. |
| Partial-thickness wound |
Tissue destruction through the first layer of skin (epidermis), extending into, but not through, the dermis. |
Ulcers |
|
| Arterial ulcer |
Caused by poor blood supply; related to the presence of arterial occlusive disease; symptoms include pain and tissue loss. |
| Diabetic ulcer |
Caused by trauma or pressure secondary to neuropathy or vascular disease related to diabetes mellitus. |
| Pressure ulcer |
Caused by poor blood supply from pressure, this localized tissue damage is also called a decubitus ulcer, bedsore, or pressure sore. |
| Venous ulcer |
Local losses of epidermis and various levels of dermis and subcutaneous tissue, occurring over or near the malleoli of the distal lower extremities; caused by edema and other sequellae of impaired venous return. |
Burns |
|
Superficial
(first-degree burn) |
Damage limited to the epidermis characterized by erythema, hyperemia, tenderness, and pain. |
| Partial-thickness (second-degree burn) |
Superficial to deep partial-thickness wound characterized by large blisters, edema, pain, and wet, weeping, and shiny surface. |
Full-thickness
(third-degree burn) |
Full-thickness wound characterized by deep-red, black, or white appearance; edema; painless nerve ending damage; and exposed subcutaneous fat layer. |
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Adapted from Hess, CT, Clinical Guide to Wound Care, 3rd ed. Springhouse Corporation.
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