The skin is the most complex yet largest organ in weight on the body and belongs to the Integumentary system (BBC 2014). The main layers of the skin consist of the epidermis, dermis and the hypodermis. Together these make up the structure of the skin, and have many functions, including protection, temperature regulation, and production of vitamin D, detects sensation and acts as an excretory organ (Herlihy 2014).
In accordance with Mrs Wallis’ leg wound, the health care worker …show more content…
Dealey (2012) acknowledges that secondary intention is where the wound is left to heal by itself from the bottom of the wound bed, and is left open, later assisted by granulation, contraction and epithelialisation.
There are four phases that contribute to wound healing; these consist of Haemostasis, Inflammation, Proliferation and Maturation. McCulloch and Kloth (2010) consider the aim of these four phases to ensure the wound heals as quickly as possible, to resemble the original tissue and to decrease the amount of scarring.
Haemostasis is a process that causes bleeding to stop and occurs at the time of the injury. Bleeding can last up to ten minutes depending on the size of the wound (Vuolo et al 2009). At this stage, the health care worker will see that the wound is bleeding and pressure needs to be applied until it has …show more content…
Burch (2008) states, when histamine is released from the damaged cells, leukocytes congregate and break down the bacteria and other contaminants in the wound. This phase also consists of white blood cells such as neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages which mount together to build a defence against microbial invasion that secrete proteolytic enzymes that destroy nonviable tissue and microorganisms in the wound area (Hockenberry et al 2012). In clean wounds, the inflammation phase lasts up to thirty six hours. At this stage, Mrs Wallis’ will notice that the area around her wound will be red, swollen, painful and hot (Peate and Norcross