Physiological Basis of Wound Observations

This template must be used to answer the case study.
1 Physiological basis of the wound observations (Total: 10 marks)
The physiological basis represents a broad examination of administration of service users suffering
from functional immobilisation because of injury, disorder or trauma. In accordance with case study,
it is determined that Mary, a 21-year-old lady was admitted to hospital in the emergency department
with an infected laceration on her left foot. It was analysed that the service user has sustained a deep
2 cm long jagged laceration over the lateral aspect of her left foot. The lacerations are basically
caused by sharp objects. A deep cut may be caused because of underlying tissues like fattening of
muscle or bone (Bullock & Manias, (2017). The wound was found to be extremely swollen and also
had a purulent discharge. On inspection, the patients wound was found to be red and warm when
being touched. All these are the major signs and symptoms of wound infection.
Purulent discharge is a liquid which sludge from a wound. This fluid is often green, yellow
or white in colour. It is the outcome of dilating blood vessels which is often seen at the initial level
of healing. A wound swab of Mary was also taken for culture and sensitivity. Wound culture is
basically a sample of liquid which is been taken from the wound and given in lab in order to know
about the bacteria which is the reason behind infection. Redness and warmness in wound shows that
her left foot is severely infected which is extremely painful.
If the wound in patient continues to be red than it is a major symptom for lymphangitis, in
which service user is at risk of developing wound infection. The patient is more likely to suffer from
infection if the cut is large and deep. Moreover, it is risky if caused by a jagged or harmful objects
such as mirror, broken glass, etc. The breakdown of skin because of wound infection also weakens
the body's immune system and raises other problems like inflammation and damage to tissue within
the skin (Craft & Gordon (2015). This can also slowdown the healing of wound and make a human
body more prone to infection. Mary can suffer from infected wound because of bacterial
colonisation arising from viruses which lies inside the body parts or in environment.
1.1 Name one endogenous source of contamination and discuss the mode of transmission
from the source to the new host. (5 marks)

Endogenous infection is a disease which occur in case where microbes of normal bacteria flora paves
a way in sterile part of body that is muscle or brain. It may be seen in Mary because of broken tissue
and can make patients’ immune system weak. The one endogenous source of contamination is when
the patient’s own immune system is being compromised during surgery or impairment in blood. It
happens when a dormant pathogen reacts in service users body and infect the host. In order to cure
these antibacterial can be given to patient which can help them in fighting against the viruses. This
infection is caused because of contamination of surgical wards that directly links various virus to
human body and make them infected (Craft & Gordon, (2015).
The mode of transmission from the infected source to the new host can be through human
reservoirs. The process takes place when bacteria leave via a portal of exist and enter through an
appropriate portal of entry. It occurs when the bacteria leave its reservoirs through portal of
exist and enters into patient’s body and weakens their immune system. It can also enter service
users body by portal of entry in order to infect a hypersensitive host. Name one exogenous
source of contamination and discuss the mode of transmission from the source to the new host.
1.1 Name one exogenous source of contamination and discuss the mode of transmission from the
source to the new host. (5 marks)
An exogenous source is that type of infection which develops infectious bacteria from outside
environment into the human body. It has been noted that the most of the time the infection is been
transmitted through three ways that is person to person, through outside environment or from animal
to human. Like for example the exogenous source of contamination in Mary is outside environment,
as she has suffered injury because of getting hurt from sharp edge of a glass bottle.
These sources hamper the health and well-being of patient and also, slow-down the healing
process of wounds. These infections act as a challenge for health-care professionals and nurses.
The mode of transmission from the source to new host can be either through inanimate
objects like handkerchief which has been used by Mary for bandaging (Lee & Bishop (2016). It is
possible that the handkerchief of patient carries pathogens of bacteria that directly attacks the
susceptible host. A patient suffering from exogenous infections are treated by providing them
antibacterial. This may help them in healing the wounds and enhance their well-being.
1 Rationale for choices of antibiotics (Total 10 Marks)