Lesson 1Systematic skin inspection: techniques, lighting, documentation, and frequencyThis section outlines a head-to-toe skin inspection process for hospitalised adults, emphasising positioning, lighting, privacy, and chaperones, and describes how to document findings, set inspection frequency, and communicate risks across the care team in resource-limited environments.
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 reviews local and systemic signs of wound infection, differentiates colonisation from invasive infection, and explains how to interpret erythema, pain, warmth, drainage, fever, and key laboratory markers to guide timely escalation and antimicrobial decisions in local clinics.
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 addresses systematic evaluation of peri-wound skin, including detection of maceration, erythema, induration, callus, and fragility, and links these findings to moisture management, dressing selection, and early identification of pressure or adhesive-related damage in everyday practice.
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 explains best practices for wound photography and measurement, including use of paper rulers, tracings, and digital tools, ensuring consistent technique, infection control, secure storage, and obtaining and documenting informed consent from patients in community health contexts.
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 explains how to assess wound-related pain using validated scales, timing assessments with procedures, documenting location and quality, and integrating findings into dressing selection, analgesia plans, and nonpharmacologic comfort strategies suitable for Zimbabwean patients.
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 details how to assess wound exudate, including estimating volume, describing colour and consistency, recognising odour changes, and using standardised tools and language to measure, record, and trend findings over time in the health record for better patient outcomes.
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 focuses on identifying patient factors that impair healing, including mobility limits, incontinence, nutritional deficits, vascular disease, diabetes, and medications, and shows how to integrate these findings into individualised prevention and treatment plans in local wards.
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 covers core wound assessment parameters, including precise location, linear and depth measurements, wound bed tissue types, edge characteristics, and identification of undermining and tunneling, using consistent methods to support monitoring and care planning in busy hospitals.
Locating and anatomically describing woundsMeasuring length, width, and depthDescribing wound bed tissue typesCharacterising wound edges and marginsAssessing undermining and tunneling
