Dressings Flashcards
How long is saline good for after opening?
24 hours
When is sterile technique used?
packing wounds, large surface wounds, severe burns, immunocompromised
What are three descriptions of dressings?
passive- bandaid
active- autolytic debridement
interactive- something that removes exudate
What happens if a wound is too moist?
maceration, additional damage, increased chance of infxn
What happens if a wound is too dry?
crust formation, lacks enzymes, no epitheliazation
What is a primary layer for dressings?
this directly contacts wound, bottom layer can be semi adherent or non adherent
What is a secondary dressing?
placed over primary layer one of two choices:
- absorbent- intermediete layer
- outer layer- secures dressing/protects wound
What is regular gauzed used for?
tunneling, undermining, highly exuding wounds- frequent dressing changes
What is benefit for gauze?
low cost and provides cushioning for wounds
What are limitations of gauze?
highly permeable, frequent changes, higher infection rate
What is impregnated gauze for?
burns, epitheliazation/granulating wounds, deep wounds, painful wounds
What are benefits of impregnated gauze?
decrease pain and trauma during changes, can increase occlusiveness of gauze
What are limitations of impregnated gauze?
high cost, minimal absorption, requires secondary dressing
What are occlusive dressings?
ability of a dressing to maintain moisture levels and able to transmit moisture vapor and gases from wound bed to atmosphere
Can occlusive dressings be used with infected wounds?
No, except for alginate
What are general benefits for occlusive dressings?
comfortable, various sizes, less time for change, fewer changes
Some providers fear a moist dressing can cause infection is this true?
No, occlusive dressings have lower infection rates than non-occ.
What is order of most occlusive to least occlusive dressings?
- hydrocolloid, hydrogel, semipermeable foam, impregnated gauze, calcium alginate, gauze
What are transparent films used for?
skin tears, donor sites, ultrasound, partial thickness wounds, stage 1-2 ulcers
What are benefits for transparent film?
moisture retentive, autolytic debridement, waterproof, can see wound w/o removing
What are limitations of transparent film?
not for highly exudative wounds, don’t use on infected wounds, or with pts with fragile skin
How long can a film be left on?
5-7 days
What is use of semipermeable foams?
minor burns, skin grafts, donor sites, pressure venous and diabetic ulcers
What are benefits of foam?
moisture reten, easy to use, autolytic debridement, mod exudate, permeable to gas but not bacteria
What are limitations?
can roll in areas of friction, not good for dry wounds
How long can foam be on?
7 days unless exudate is filled to edge
What are uses of hydrogel?
primary dressing used for min exudate, pressure ulcer stage 2-4 , partial to full thickness, skin tears
What are benefits of hyrdrogel?
moist reten, autolytic, excellent for dry wounds
What are limitations of hydrogel?
may dehydrate wounds, always a primary dressing, can’t use with pts with preservative allergies
What are uses of hydrocolloid?
primary or secondary used forpressure ulcers, burns, dry wounds
What are benefits of hydrocolloid?
moisture reten, autolytic, most impermeable to liquids, mod absorption
What are limitations of hydrocolloid?
can cause hyper granulation, injure preowned, not for dry or highly exudating wounds
What is a hydroactive dressings?
combination of hyrdocolloid ( no gel) and foam (absorb more)
What is an alginate dressing?
primary dressing used for high exuding wounds, tunneling, DM
What are benefits of alginate?
high absorption, Can be used on infected wounds
What are limitations of alginate?
not for dry wounds, caution if close to tendon, bone, muscle
How much exudate can alginate absorb?
20x its own weight but needs to have a secondary dressing
Why manage exudate?
can slow down healing process, cause infection
Which type of wound usually has more exudate chronic or acute?
chronic, stuck in inflammatory stage
What are two types of biological dressings?
tissues from animals or human sources
- collagen
- growth factor ( Regranex)
What should be done for granular non draining wound?
maintain moist environment, no debridement, could use: impregnated gauze, film, hydrogel, hydrocolloid
What should be done for granular draining wound?
observe for infection, absorb exudate
can use: alginate, hydroactives, foam, hydrocollid if not infected
What should be done for necrotic non draining?
remove eschar, moist environment, needs debridement
can use: gauze, film, hydrogel, hydrocolloid
What should be done for necrotic non draining?
remove eschar, moist environment, needs debridement, absorb exudate
Can use: alginate, hydroactive, foam, hydrocolloid
What should be done for infected wounds?
avoid occlusive dressing but can use foam or alginate, manage exudate
