Cleansing/Debridement Flashcards
Autolysis
disintegration or liquefaction of tissue or of cells by the body’s own mechanisms, such as leukocytes and enzymes
Denude
removal of epidermis
Stripping
denude by mechanical means
Eschar
dry, black or brown leathery materials; result of destruction of cells/blood vessels and desiccation of devitalized tissue
Pus
thick fluid indicative of infection containing leukocytes, bacteria and cellular debris
Slough
moist yellowing or gray substance composed of a mixture of fibrin tissue debris and pus that contains bacteria and leukocytes
Autolytic debridement
Use of synthetic dressings to cover a wound and allow eschar to self-digest by the action of enzymes present in wound fluids.
Enzymatic Debridement
Topical application of proteolytic substances (enzymes) to breakdown devitalized tissue. Doesn’t work on dry wounds. Thick eschar will need to be cross-hatched.
Which type of enzymatic debridement is most effective on yellow/green fibrotic tissue and eschars?
Collagenase
Which type of enzymatic debridement is specific for dried blood?
Fibrinolysis
Mechanical Debridement
removal of foreign material and devitalized or contaminated tissue from a wound by physical forces rather than by chemical (enzymatic) or natural (autolytic) forces.
What does non-selective mechanical debridement remove?
Both healthy and not healthy tissue.
With cleansing a wound where should you start?
The center and move toward the outside in circular motions.
With mechanically debriding a wound where should you start?
The outer edges.
Indications for hydrotherapy
Need for hydration & increased circulation
Removal of cellular debris, foreign contaminant and loosely attached necrotic tissue. Softening of thick, hard, necrotic eschar where indicated
Ischemic wounds that have decreased pain when dependent
