Leg Ulcer Management

What will this course cover?

This module covers areas of learning including:

• Relevant anatomy
• Physiology and pathophysiology related to tissue breakdown and wound healing and factors that may influence these processes
• Aetiology of leg ulcers
• Assessment methods and documentation
• Issues surrounding pain and infection in leg ulcers and management of these problems
• Decision making in relation to the management of leg ulcers
• Application of a variety of bandaging systems and hosiery to promote healing and prevent recurrence of leg ulcers
• Quality of life issues
• Systemic diseases affecting or contributing to leg ulceration e.g. diabetes

This course equips students with the ability to:

• Analyse and critically discuss the physiological processes contributing to tissue breakdown and wound healing, which underpin leg ulcer management.
• Identify and select appropriate techniques in order to assess the lower limb and relate theoretical principles to the effective identification of leg ulcers of differing aetiologies.
• Formulate intervention strategies for leg ulcer management practices in the light of contemporary issues, guidelines and policies within the Health Service
• Critically discuss and analyse nursing strategies aimed at promoting healing and preventing complications for patients with leg ulceration. Distinguishing between factors that may influence the healing process
• Demonstrate critical application of the theoretical principles of compression therapy to the performance of various bandaging techniques.
• Determine the role of the multidisciplinary team in the promotion of clinically effective leg ulcer management.