What it means
Any damage to skin and deeper tissue: cuts, scrapes, burns, surgical incisions, pressure injuries and ulcers. Wounds heal in stages: bleeding stops, inflammation cleans the area, new tissue fills in, and then the scar strengthens over months. Good blood flow, nutrition (especially protein), blood glucose control and absence of infection all help healing.
For the nurse
Describe a wound's place, size (length, width, depth), wound bed, drainage, edges, the skin around it and any odor. Report signs of infection such as spreading redness, warmth, pus and fever.
At a glance
| Spanish | herida |
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Related terms
laceration
A cut or tear in the skin or other tissue, often with jagged edges.
pus
Thick fluid made of white blood cells, dead tissue and germs that collects at a site of infection.
epidermis
The thin outer layer of the skin.
abrasion
A scrape: a wound where the top layer of skin has been rubbed or worn away.
dermis
The thick layer of skin under the epidermis that holds blood vessels, nerves, hair roots and glands.