A patient on the unit has a deep decubitus ulcer. The family asks why the nurse debrides the ulcer and removes the dead cells. What is the nurse's best response to explain to the family why debridement is performed?
A) The lysosomes released by the dead cells in the area continue to kill other cells, destroying more tissue.
B) The dead cells no longer contain histocompatible antigens causing a greater inflammatory response.
C) Removing dead tissue forces oxygen to enter the damaged cells to regenerate them and to promote healing.
D) The doctor ordered the procedure to be performed so it is done the way it is ordered because orders are always followed.
A
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When a cell dies, its cell membrane ruptures and the lysosomes release lysozymes, which dissolve protein. When many cells die, lysozymes accumulate and dissolve the proteins that the dead cells leave behind, but the lysozymes also destroy the cell membrane of healthy cells in the area. Those cells then die, releasing lysozymes, which destroy more cells, and a vicious cycle occurs. A decubitus ulcer is an area of many dead cells, which are killing healthy cells. The area needs to be scraped clean to remove the dead cells so that the lysozymes will stop destroying healthy cells and allow oxygen to return to the area through the capillary bed, which allows healing to occur. Many treatments exist for decubitus ulcers, all of which depend on the return of blood flow to the area and removal of the dead tissue. No procedure should ever be performed only because it was ordered. The nurse should understand why each procedure is needed.
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