Wound Care

54 Nurse to Nurse
• Refer the patient to the dietician when:
— Prealbumin/albumin levels are less than normal
— Nutritional deficiencies are adversely effecting wound
outcome
Enteral/parenteral feedings are needed
Special diets—renal, vegan, diabetic—are needed
• The provider has questions about the patient’s nutritional status.
• The wound has not demonstrated healing or progress within
the expected time frame even if the laboratory studies are
normal and the patient seems to be eating normally.
REFERENCES
1. Acne.com.PharmacologicalTriggers. Available at: www.acne.com/
prevention/medications.php. Accessed January 25, 2008.
2. Dermatology. What is Acne? Available at www.skincarephysicians.
com/acnenet/acne.html. Accessed January 25, 2008.
3. Bates-Jensen BM, Wethe J. Acute Surgical Wound Management.
In: Sussman, C, Bates-Jensen B. Wound Care A Collaborative
Practice Manual for Physical Therapists and Nurses. Gaithersburg,
MD: Aspen Publications; 1998.
4. Lazarus GS, et al. Definitions and guidelines for assessment for
wounds and evaluation of healing. Archives of Dermatology.
April 1994;130(4):489-93.
5. Holloway NM. Medical-Surgical Care Planning. 4th ed.
Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2003.
6. Baranoski S, Ayello E. Wound Care Essentials Practice Principles.
Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.
7. Payne RL, Martin ML. Defining and classifying skin tears: Need
for a common language. Ostomy Wound Manage. 1993;39(5):16-20,
22-24, 26.
SUGGESTED READING
Beck FK, Rosenthal TC. Prealbumin: A marker for nutritional evaluation.
American Family Physician. 65(8):1575–1578.
Bryant RA. Acute and Chronic Wounds. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Year
Book; 1992.