9 c

Question 1

EXUDATE

Answer 1

Is produced by all acute and chronic wounds (to a greater or

lesser extent) as part of the natural healing process.

Question 2

EXUDATE plays an

essential part in the healing process in that it:

Answer 2

 Contains nutrients, energy and growth factors for
metabolising cells
 Contains high quantities of white blood cells
 Cleanses the wound
 Maintains a moist environment
 Promotes epithelialisation

Question 3

exudate It is important to assess and document

Answer 3

asses and document the type, amount and

odour of exudate to identify any changes.

Question 4

too much exudate can

Answer 4

leads to maceration and degradation of skin
while too little can result in the wound bed drying out. It may
become more viscous and odorous in infected wounds

Question 5

DESCRIBING EXUDATE

Answer 5

Type Colour Consistency Significance

Question 6

types of exudate

Answer 6

Serous
Haemoserous
Sanguinous
Purulent

Question 7

Serous

Type Colour Consistency Significance

Answer 7

Clear, straw
coloured
Thin, watery
Normal. An increase
may be indicative of
infection

Question 8

Haemoserous Type Colour Consistency Significance

Answer 8

Clear, pink Thin, watery Normal

Question 9

Sanguinous

Type Colour Consistency Significance

Answer 9

Sanguinous Red Thin, watery
Trauma to blood
vessels

Question 10

Purulent

Type Colour Consistency Significance

Answer 10

Purulent Yellow, grey, green Thick
Infection. Contains
pyogenic organisms
and other
inflammatory cells

Question 11

Wound infection may be defined

Answer 11

Wound infection may be defined as the presence of bacteria or other organisms, which lead to a
host reaction.

Question 12

A host reaction in wound infection

Answer 12

A host reaction can present with one or a combination of the following local and
systemic clinical indicators:

Question 13

Local indicators infection

Answer 13

 Redness (erythema or cellulitis) around the wound
 Increased amounts of exudate
 Change in exudates colour
 Malodour
 Localised pain
 Localised heat
 Delayed or abnormal healing
 Wound breakdown

Question 14

 Systemic indicators infection

Answer 14

 Increased systemic temperature
 General malaise
 Increased leucocyte count

Question 15

If any systmenic and local clinical indicators are present medical review should be

Answer 15

nstigated and an

Microscopy & Culture Wound Swab (MCS) should be considered

Question 16

Surrounding skin

Answer 16

The surrounding skin should be examined carefully as part of the process of
assessment and appropriate action taken

Question 17

Descriptors for surrounding tissue

Answer 17

 Healthy
 Macerated
 Dry/flaky
 Eczematous
 Black/blue discoloration
 Fragile
 Oedema
 Erythema
 Induration (hardening)
 Cellulitis