Lecture Terms

Question 1

Chlorhexidine

Answer 1

A skin scrub. Binds to the stratum corneum of the skin and so lasts a long time after scrubbing (alcohol inhibits this binding). Not as damaging to cells as something we would use on inanimate objects. Can grow bacteria if it sits in the field.

Question 2

Ethylene Oxide

Answer 2

Highly toxic. Used for sterilizing plastic instruments that might melt in the autoclave.

Question 3

Autoclaving

Answer 3

High temperature and pressure, coagulates anything living. Only living organism it does not work on is prions. Typically used for stainless steel surgical instruments and anything that will not melt.

Question 4

Gluteraldehyde

Answer 4

Cold sterile liquid
Very irritating to the tissues
Can soak stainless steel in it but must soak for a long time and then rinse well.

Question 5

Avagaard

Answer 5

Alcohol based sanitizer that is easier on the skin and has been proven more effective on clean hands than scrubbing if used properly.

Question 6

Betadine

Answer 6

Iodine solution that works because the iodophores (free iodine) binds to the cells and kills them. SO if it is not dilute it is both more irritating and doesn’t work.

Question 7

Antiseptic residual residues

Answer 7

Measure the best antibacterials to use by looking at what is left on the surface after certain amounts of time.

Question 8

Surgical wound classifications

Answer 8

Clean, clean-contaminated, contaminated, and infected.

Question 9

Clean surgery

Answer 9

No swelling or infection.
Do not enter the GI, Respiratory, or GU tracts.
Closed primarily.

Question 10

Clean-contaminated surgery

Answer 10

GI, Respiratory, or GU tracts are entered but controlled.

No unusual contamination.

Question 11

Contaminated surgery

Answer 11

Open, fresh, accidental wounds.
Major break in sterile technique.
Major spillage from the GI tract.
Acute but non-purulent inflammation

Question 12

Infected/Dirty surgery

Answer 12

Old traumatic wounds, devitalized tissue
Existing infection or perforation
Organisms present before procedure.

Question 13

Primary closure

Answer 13

After making an incision or if we get to an incision right after the injury, and then fully close.

Question 14

Secondary-intention closure

Answer 14

Let it close on it’s own (neuter)

Question 15

Delayed-primary closure

Answer 15

Drains and such. First let the wound close on it’s own but then close it before the inflammatory period ends.

Question 16

Tertiary closure

Answer 16

Human term, plastic surgery closure.

Question 17

Delayed-secondary closure

Answer 17

Wound is already in the granulation phase. Debride, then close the wound.

Question 18

Why classify wounds?

Answer 18

So we know what the worst that can occur will be. The worst possibility tells us how to manage the wound and what treatments to consider.

Question 19

Why debride wounds?

Answer 19

Faster healing of infected tissues than if we were to let them heal on their own.

Question 20

Inflammatory period

Answer 20

Approximately 3 days after primary wound. Red, swollen, and often hot to the touch during this period. Tissue is the weakest during this period.

Question 21

Proliferation period

Answer 21

Pink and bubbly tissue

Question 22

Granulation period

Answer 22

Granulation tissue covering the wound.

Question 23

Why not use alcohol and chlorhexidine together to scrub?

Answer 23

Alcohol inhibits chlorhexidine’s ability to bind to the stratum corneum

Question 24

What matters the most when scrubbing tissues?

Answer 24

Contact time with the disinfectant.

Question 25

What is the main difference between scrubbing techniques in human and animal hospitals?

Answer 25

Human hospitals must use single use containers of scrub material.