Dressings

Question 1

Alginate

Answer 1

• highly absorptive, highly permeable and non occlusive
• requires a secondary dressing
• acts as a hemostat

Question 2

Alginate indications

Answer 2

• used on partial or full thickness draining wounds such as a pressure or venous insufficiency ulcers
• often used on infected wounds due to the likelihood of excessive drainage

Question 3

alginate advantages

Answer 3

• high absorptive capacity
• enables autolytic debridement
• offers protection from microbial contamination
• can be used on infected or non-infected wounds
• non=adhering to wound

Question 4

alginate disadvantages

Answer 4

• may require frequent dressing changes based on level of exudate
• requires a secondary dressing
• cannot be used on wounds with exposed tendons, joint capsule or bone

Question 5

Foam Dressings

Answer 5

• allows exudate to be absorbed into the foam through the hydrophillic layer
• semipermeable foam dressings are produced in adhesive and non adhesive forms
• non adhesive require a secondary dressing

Question 6

foam dressing indications

Answer 6

• used to provide protection and absorption over partial and full thickness wounds with varying levels of exudate
• can be used as secondary dressings over amorphous hydrogels

Question 7

foam dressing advantages

Answer 7

• provides a moist environment for wound healing
• available in adhesive and non adhesive forms
• provides prophylactic protection and cushioning
• encourages autolytic debridemnt
• provides moderate absorption

Question 8

foam dressing disadvantages

Answer 8

• may tend to roll in areas of excessive friction
• adhesive form may traumatize periwound area upon removal
• lack of transparency makes inspection of wound difficult

Question 9

gauze

Answer 9

• impregnated gauze is a variation of woven gauze in which various materials such as petrolatum, zinc, or antimicrobials have been added

Question 10

gauze indications

Answer 10

• used on infected or non infected wounds of any size

- can be used for wet to wet, wet to moist, or wet to dry debridement

Question 11

gauze advantages

Answer 11

• readily available and cost effective short term dressings
• can be used alone or in combination with other dressings and topical agents
• can modify number of layers to accommodate for changing wound status
• can be used on infected or non infected wounds

Question 12

gauze disadvantages

Answer 12

• has a tendency to adhere to the wound bed traumatizing viable tissue
• highly permeable
• requires frequent dressing changes
• prolonged use decreases cost effectiveness
• increased infection rate compared to occlusive dressings

Question 13

hydrocolloids

Answer 13

• consist of gel forming polymers backed by a strong film or foam adhesive
• the dressing does not attach to the wound itself but instead anchors to the intact surrounding skin
  0 absorbs exudate by swelling into a gel-like mass and vary in permeability, thickness, and transparency

Question 14

hydrocolloids indications

Answer 14

• useful for partial and full thickness wounds

- can be used effectively with granular or necrotic tissues

Question 15

hydrocolloids advantages

Answer 15

• provides a moist environment for wound healing
• enables autolytic debridement
• offers protection from microbial contamination
• provides moderate absorption
• does not require a secondary dressing
• provides a waterproof surface

Question 16

hydrocolloids disadvantages

Answer 16

• may traumatize surrounding intact skin upon removal
• may tend ot roll in areas of excessive friction
• cannot be used on infected wounds

Question 17

hydrogels

Answer 17

• consist of varying amounts of water and gel forming materials such as glycerin

Question 18

hydrogel indications

Answer 18

• moisture retentive and commonly used on superficial and partial thickness wounds that have minimal damage

Question 19

hydrogels advantages

Answer 19

• provides a moist environment for wound healing
• enables autolytic debridement
• may reduce pressure and diminish pain
• can be used as a coupling agent for ultrasound
• minimally adheres to wound
• some products have absorptive properties

Question 20

hydrogels disadvantages

Answer 20

• potential for dressings to dehydrate
• cannot be used on wounds with significant drainage
• typically requires a secondary dressing

Question 21

Transparent Film

Answer 21

• thin membranes made from transparent polyurethane with water-resistant adhesives
• are permeable to vapor and oxygen, but are largely impermeable to bacteria and water
• they are highly elastic, conform to a variety of body contours, and allow easy visual inspection of the wound since they are transparent

Question 22

transparent film indications

Answer 22

• useful for superficial or partial thickness wounds with minimal damage

Question 23

transparent film advantages

Answer 23

• provides a moist environment for wound healing
• enables autolytic debridement
• allows visualization of the wound
• resistant to shearing and frictional forces
• cost effective over time

Question 24

transparent film disadvantages

Answer 24

• excessive exudate accumulation can result in periwound maceration
• adhesive may traumatize periwound are upon removal
• cannot be used on infected wounds

Question 25

occlusion

Answer 25

• refers to the ability of a dressing to transmit moisture, vapor or gases between a wound bed and the atmosphere

Question 26

dressings from most occlusive to non-occlusive

Answer 26

hydrocolloids
hydrogels
semipermeable foam
semipermeable film
impregnated gauze
alginates
traditional gauze

Question 27

dressings from most to least moisture retentive

Answer 27

alginates
semipermeable foams
hydrocolloids