Lesson 1Systematic skin inspection: techniques, lighting, documentation, and frequencyThis section details a head-to-toe skin inspection process for hospitalised adults, stressing proper positioning, adequate lighting, patient privacy, and use of chaperones, while explaining how to record findings, determine inspection intervals, and share risks with the care team effectively.
Preparing the environment and equipmentInspection techniques and patient positioningUse of lighting and palpation skillsHigh-risk anatomical sites to prioritiseDocumentation and inspection frequencyLesson 2Infection signs and systemic indicators: erythema, increased pain, warmth, purulent drainage, fever, lab markers (WBC, CRP)This section examines local and systemic indicators of wound infection, differentiates between colonisation and invasive infection, and describes interpreting erythema, pain, warmth, drainage, fever, and vital lab markers to facilitate prompt escalation and decisions on antimicrobials in resource-limited settings.
Distinguishing colonisation from infectionLocal signs: erythema, warmth, oedemaPurulent drainage and odour changesSystemic signs: fever and malaiseInterpreting WBC, CRP, and culturesLesson 3Peri-wound skin evaluation: maceration, induration, erythema, callus, and skin integrityThis section covers systematic evaluation of skin around the wound, detecting maceration, erythema, induration, callus, and fragility, and connects these observations to managing moisture, selecting dressings, and spotting early pressure or adhesive damage promptly.
Identifying maceration and moisture damageRecognising erythema and early inflammationAssessing induration and tissue firmnessCallus formation and pressure riskProtecting fragile and compromised skinLesson 4Photographic documentation and measurement tools: use of ruler, tracing, digital imaging best practices and consentThis section outlines best practices for photographing and measuring wounds, using paper rulers, tracings, and digital tools, ensuring uniform techniques, infection control, secure storage, and proper documentation of patient consent in clinical documentation.
Indications and goals of wound photographyObtaining and recording informed consentUsing rulers and standardised positioningTracing methods and digital planimetryImage quality, lighting, and data securityLesson 5Pain assessment specific to wounds: scales, documentation, and impact on careThis section describes assessing wound pain with validated scales, timing checks during procedures, documenting location and nature, and incorporating results into choices for dressings, pain relief plans, and non-drug comfort measures for better patient outcomes.
Selecting appropriate pain rating scalesAssessing baseline and procedural painDocumenting pain location and qualityLinking pain findings to dressing choicePharmacologic and non-drug interventionsLesson 6Exudate assessment: amount, colour, consistency, odour, and how to measure and documentThis section explains evaluating wound exudate by estimating volume, describing colour and texture, noting odour shifts, and employing standard tools and terms to measure, record, and track changes over time in patient health records accurately.
Classifying exudate types and coloursEstimating and grading exudate volumeAssessing viscosity and tissue adherenceRecognising and describing wound odourStandardised exudate documentation methodsLesson 7Assessment of contributing factors: mobility, incontinence, nutrition, comorbidities (diabetes, vascular disease), and medicationsThis section identifies patient factors hindering healing, such as limited mobility, incontinence, poor nutrition, vascular issues, diabetes, and drugs, and demonstrates integrating these into customised prevention and treatment strategies for individual needs.
Evaluating mobility and repositioning needsScreening for urinary and faecal incontinenceNutritional risk and protein–calorie deficitsImpact of diabetes and vascular diseaseMedication review for healing barriersLesson 8Wound assessment parameters: location, dimensions (L×W×D), depth, wound bed characteristics, edges, undermining, and tunnelingThis section addresses key wound assessment elements, including exact location, measurements of length, width, depth, tissue types in the wound bed, edge features, and detection of undermining or tunneling, using reliable methods for ongoing monitoring and planning care.
Locating and anatomically describing woundsMeasuring length, width, and depthDescribing wound bed tissue typesCharacterising wound edges and marginsAssessing undermining and tunneling
