biopsy

the removal and examination of tissue for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment

clean technique

involves practice and procedures that reduce disease causing organisms, thus achieving medical asepsis

medical asepsis

the state of being free of disease causing microorganisms; nonpathogenic organisms may still be present

normal flora

normal microorganisms on or in our body

sterile field

an area free of microorganisms that is used in a surgical procedure to reduce the risk of infection

sterile technique

involves practices and procedures to make equipment and areas free from all microorganisms and to maintain that sterility

surgical asepsis

the state of being free of all microorganisms

transient flora

microbes that do not live permanently on or in the body but are present

fenestrated drape

a surgical drape with an opening in the center.

sterile

free of all microorganisms

well approximated

the margins or edges of the wound fit neatly together

debridement

the surgical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the function of healthy tissue

exudate

fluids with high concentrations of protein and cellular debris that have escaped from the blood vessels and have been deposited in tissues or on tissue surfaces

hemostasis

the stoppage of bleeding

hyperbaric oxygen therapy

treatment in which a patient is placed in a sealed chamber and breathes oxygen at higher than atmospheric pressure

cauterize

to destroy tissue through burning

void

to empty the bladder

needle biopsy

a needle is used to remove fluid or tissue

core needle biopsy

a wise gauge needle is used to remove a tissue specimen

fine-needle aspiration (FNA)

a fine gauge needle is used to remove a fluid specimen

punch biopsy

a surgical punch is used to remove a small round piece of tissue

shave biopsy

a small blade is used to remove a skin abnormality and a small layer of surrounding skin

epidermoid cyst

a noncancerous cyst of the sebaceous gland

incision and drainage

a minor surgical procedure used to treat abcesses

laceration

a jagged, irregular breaking or tearing of tissues, usually caused by blunt trauma

puncture

piercing of the skin by a pointed object, such as a pin, nail, splinter, or bullet

abrasion

a superficial wound made by scraping of the skin

avulsion

tissue forcibly torn or separated, caused by accidents

surgical incision

a neat, clean cut

hypodermic puncture

an injection under the skin

contusion

a closed, nonpenetrating wound in which blood from broken vessels accumulates in tissues

incision

a neat, clean cut from sharp objects, such as glass, knives, or metal

hemostasis

blood vessels contract to slow bleeding. blood platelets from a network that acts as a glue to plug the wound. after a cascade of chemical reactions, fibrin is released in to the wound and clotting begins. fibrin continues to collect red blood cells, and the clot dries into a scab.

inflammatory phase

macrophage clear away bacteria and dead tissue. within 1-4 days, the fibrin threads contract and pull the edges of the wound together under the scab. during this phase, edema, erythema, heat, and pain can occur.

proliferation phase

lasts 5-20 days. as new tissue of collagen and extracellular matrix form, the wound contracts and seals. a new network of blood vessels must occur.

remodeling or maturation phase

starts around day 21 and may last for up to a year. the wound fully closes. the collagen fibers lie closer together, creating stronger tissue and reducing scar thickness.

alginate dressing

nonadhesive pad made from seaweed. forms a gel over the wound when in contact with exudate.

composite dressing

multilayered adhering dressing that absorbs drainage and provides a bacterial barrier

foam dressing

soft and highly absorbent. allows moisture to enter the wound but keeps bacteria out.

gauze sponge and gauze roll

made from 100% cotton. absorbs drainage. economic and all-purpose dressing.

hydrocolloid dressing

consists of an inner colloidal layer and an outer water-impermeable layer. absorbs wound exudate. impermeable to bacteria. provides a moist healing environment.

hydrogel dressing

controls the moisture level in the wound, which helps with natural debridement and promotes cell growth.

medical-grade honey dressing

promotes a healing environment. can assist in the debridement process and inhibits bacterial growth.

nonadherent pad

does not stick to the wound

transparent film

an adherent dressing that is impermeable to liquids, bacteria, and water. allows oxygen into the wound.

sanguineous

contains blood and appears bright red and may be thick in consistency

serosanguineous

contains serum and blood; appears pink and thinner than sanguineous drainage

serous

contains serum and appears thin and watery, may be clear or slightly yellow

seropurulent

contains both serum and pus; appears as a thin watery pus. the color can vary and may include white, green, brown, yellow, pink, and gray. this drainage is usually a sign of infection.

purulent

contains pus and appears as a thick, cloudy liquid that may be brown, green, yellow, or gray. this type of exudate is a sign of infection.

roller bandage

a strip of gauze or material is wrapped over a dressing on an extremity or head

gauze pad bandage

placed over dressings and used to help absorb drainage

tubular bandage

used for fingers, toes, arms, and legs. helps to keep the dressing in place and may provide bulk to protect the wound.

micropore paper tape

the adhesive is hypoallergenic and can be used long term without causing irritation

transpore polyethylene tape

hypoallergenic plastic surgical tape that is translucent and easy to tear

durable cloth tape

flexible and comfortable tape. it sticks well to skin, but not always the best to secure cloth dressings or bandages.

electrosurgery or electrocautery

an electrosurgical unit uses a small probe with an electric current running through it to cauterize the tissue. this process seals blood vessels, which minimizes bleeding.

cryosurgery

involves the use of a very low temperature probe (4 degrees F) to destroy tissue by freezing it on contact.

laser surgery

a type of surgery used to remove lesions, warts, moles, and cosmetic surgical procedures such as hair removal.

microsurgery

involves the use of an operating microscope to perform delicate surgical procedures

endoscopic procedures

a procedure that uses a flexible tube with a camera mounted on it to examine the inside of an organ or cavity.

joint aspiration or arthrocentesis

a sterile procedure used to remove excess fluid from a joint using a needle.

therapeutic injections

a procedure which injects joints with medications to help relieve pain

urinary catheterization

a procedure which inserts a flexible tube into the bladder through the urethra to collect urine