Types of Dressings Pro/Con Flashcards
how do you apply transparent film
remove bottom layer
place on pt’s skin
smooth from center out
remove top layer
how much larger should a transparent film be than the wound
1 inch
pro’s of a transparent film
- less gauze
- comfortable
- water resistant
- wound is visible
- no additional dressing
- facilitates autolytic debridement
- retains moisture
con’s of transparent film
- may dislodge in high friction
- difficult to apply
- must have a border of intact skin
- maceration
- minimal exudate management
which wounds use hydrogels
dry arterial ulcers/wounds
painful, non-exudate wounds
pro’s of hydrogels
- min to mod absorption
- facilitate autolytic debridement
- fills in dead space
- easy to apply and remove
- can be used in children
- cost efficient
cons of hydrogels
- some require secondary dressing
- dehydrates easily if not covered
- can be difficult to secure
- might cause maceration
pro’s of foam
- provides warm, moist environment
- works good on bony prominences
- serves as cushion
- barrier against bacteria
- compression therapy
- suitable for wounds with hypergranulation
- prevention of hospital acquired pressure injuries
con’s of foam
- wound may dry out
- maceration
- not suitable for 3 degree burns, sinus tracts or wounds with dry eschar
pro’s of calcium alginates
- absorbs 20x body weight
- helps regulate wound bed and blood flow
- few individuals are allergic to alginates
- promotes quicker and efficient healing
what wounds would u use calcium alginates
exudative wounds
deep pressure ulcers
diabetic ulcers
venous ulcers
cons of calcium alginates
should not use on dry wounds and wounds that bleed heavily
what are hydrocolloids best for
non-infected wounds with low exudate
pro of hydrocolloids
impermeable to bacteria
only adheres to surrounding skin
minimal healing disruption bc only needs change every couple days
cons of hydrocolloids
- can dislodge if heavy exudate
- surrounding skin may macerate
- can curl up at edges
- may cause hypergranulation
- gel that forms is thick/yellow
pro’s of hydrofibers
- very absorptive
- maintain moist environment while encouraging autolytic debridement
- good for deep wounds
- dressing last up to 3 days
cons of hydrofibers
- expensive
- can expand and overfill wound
- requires a secondary dressing
- can’t use on pt’s sensitive to silver
when can you use medical grade honey
wounds, sores, ulcers, or partial/full thickness burns
wounds with mod to heavy exudate
pros of medical grade honey
- rapidly cleanse slough and eschar
- promotes fast healing
- reduces odor
- reduces edema
- lowers wound pH
- beneficial for multidrug resistant bacteria
cons for medical grade honey
- batch to batch varies
- unknown floral and bee components
- bee pollen allergy
- diabetic pt monitor sugar
collagenase (Santyl) is used for what
burns/dermal ulcers
pros of collagenase (Santyl)
- change once a day
- no known contraindications
- not harmful to healthy tissues
cons of collagenase (Santyl)
- cost
- slow
- requires MD Rx
pros of silver sulfadiazene (Silvadene)
- help decrease risk of sepsis
- inhibits bacterial growth
- bactericidal against gram -/+ and yeast
cons of silver sulfadiazene (Silvadene)
- leukopenia
- necrosis
- screening for kidney/liver problems
- interstitial nephritis
- pain, burning, itching
- sulfa allergies
pros silver dressings
- great for short term wounds and ulcers
- reduces fq of dressing change
- less likely to develop bacterial resistance
- superficially infected wounds
- comfortable and easy to use
cons silver dressings
- long term data is insufficient for healing
- not good for deep wounds
- silver allergies
- MRI
pros of skin substitutes
- permanent or temporary
- replace skin defects
- can be used in chronic conditions
cons for skin subtitutes
- more expensive, more prep
- complex storage
- more associated w infxn
- autografts –> scarring
- increased risk for future malignancies and physiological differences during wound healing or skin aging
