skin
Wound Care
Patient was instructed on factors that may contribute to chronic wounds is old age. The skin of older people is more easily damaged, and older cells do not proliferate as fast and may not have an adequate response to stress in terms of gene up regulation of stress related proteins. In older cells, stress response genes are over expressed when the cell is not stressed, but when it is, the expression of these proteins is not regulated by as much as in younger cells.
Instructed patient about some signs and symptoms of pressure ulcers, such as, skin tissue that feels firm or boggy, local redness, warmth, tenderness or swelling.
Instructed patient DO NOT massage the skin near or on the ulcer. This can cause more damage. DO NOT use donut-shaped or ring-shaped cushions. They reduce blood flow to the area, which may cause sores.
Instructed patient in position and reposition every hour to prevent skin breakdown.