10b

Question 1

Principles of Wound Cleansing

Answer 1

 Use Aseptic technique
 Wound cleansing should not be undertaken to remove ‘normal’ exudate
 Cleansing should be performed in a way that minimises trauma to the wound
 Wounds are best cleansed with sterile isotonic saline or water
 The less a wound is disturbed during dressing changes the less interference there
is to healing
 Fluids should be warmed to 37°C to support cellular activity
 Skin and wound cleansers should have a neutral pH and be non-toxic
 Avoid alkaline soap on intact skin as the skin pH is altered, resistance to bacteria
decreases
 Avoid delipidising agents as alcohol or acetone as tissue is degraded
 Antiseptics are not routinely recommended for cleansing and should only be used
sparingly for infected wounds

Question 2

eferred method for cleansing open

wounds

Answer 2

Irrigation
This may be carried out utilising a syringe in order to
produce gentle pressure - in order to loosen debris

Question 3

Gauze swabs and cotton wool should be used with caution as can wound cleansing

Answer 3

cause mechanical damage to new tissue and the
shedding of fibres from gauze swabs/cotton wool delays
healing.

Question 4

Dressings can be catagorised into four types:

Answer 4

Primary dressing:
Secondary dressing
Occlusive dressing:
Semi-occlusive dressing:

Question 5

Primary dressing:

Answer 5

is one that comes directly in contact with

the wound bed

Question 6

Secondary dressing

Answer 6

is used to cover a primary dressing
when the primary dressing does not protect the wound from
contamination

Question 7

Occlusive dressing:

Answer 7

covers a wound from the outside
environment and keep nearly all wound vapours at the
wound site

Question 8

Semi-occlusive dressing:

Answer 8

allows some oxygen and moisture

vapour to evaporate

Question 9

Dry wound dressing

Answer 9

Non adherent island dressing
Hydrocolloid
Films semi
permeable
Silicone absorbent

Question 10

Minimal exudate dressing

Answer 10

Hydrogel Hydrocolloid Foams

Question 11

Moderate exudate dressing

Answer 11

Calcium alginate
Hydrofibre Negative Pressure
Hydrocolloid: paste/powder

Question 12

Heavy exudate dressing

Answer 12

Hydrofibre Foam
Absorbent dressing
Negative pressure wound therapy
Ostomy bags