Focusing on Patient Care: Skin Integrity and Wound Care
Develop skills related to skin integrity and wound care necessary to care for the following patients:
 Lori Downs, a patient with diabetes mellitus, is being treated in the outpatient wound center for
a chronic wound on her left foot.
 Tran Nguyen, diagnosed with breast cancer, has had a modified radical mastectomy and is 3
days post-op.
 Arthur Lowes has an appointment with his surgeon today for a follow-up examination and
removal of surgical staples following a colon resection.

Answer the following questions to enhance your understanding and apply what you have learned about
skin integrity and wound care.
1. While providing wound care for Lori Downs’ foot wound, you note that the drainage, which was
scant and yellow 2 days ago, is now green and has saturated the old dressing. Should you
continue with the prescribed wound care?

2. Three days ago, Tran Nguyen underwent a modified radical mastectomy. She has three
Jackson-Pratt drains at her surgical site. She has started asking questions about her surgery and
has anticipated discharge home. Until this morning, she has avoided looking at her surgical site.
You are helping her with her bathing and dressing. As you help her remove her gown, she
becomes visibly upset and anxious and exclaims, “Oh no! What’s wrong? I’m bleeding from the
cuts!” You realize she is looking at her drains. How should you respond?

3. Arthur Lowes has come to his surgeon’s office today for a follow-up examination after a colon
resection. After he sees the health care provider, you, the treatment nurse, will remove the
surgical staples from the incision and apply adhesive wound strips. As you prepare to remove
the staples, Mr. Lowes comments, “I hope my stomach doesn’t pop out now!” What should you
tell him?