Vicki's wound care Flashcards
indications for alginates
want to have a lot of moisture because it wicks it up
looks like grandma’s whool sweater
helps prevents peri wound
trauma free removal
what are the disadvantages of aliginates
- Requires a secondary dressing à usually gauze on top
- can’t just put a it on and call it a day
- Dessicates minimally exudating wounds
- otherwise you are going to dry it out.
how long can you leave an alignate product
- , can leave in place up to a week
difference between a kelix and conform roll
- Kerlix-roll, no stretch
- Conform-roll, has some stretch
what are some of the disadvantages if gauze
- Can dry out wounds/evaporative à too dry
- Wicks in all directions
- Fibers shed
- Requires secondary – inc $
- Requires frequent changes – inc $
- Traumatic removal when adhered – gets stuck
- Poor temperature retention
why do we use silver? why it better than hydrogen peroxide and what activates it?
disrupts bacteria
silver ions are continuously delivered
non cytotoxic and does not affact the host
(use to use hydrogen peroxide but that is a big no no now because it kills the good stuff too)
silver containing products are activated by moisture
know what it is becuase it contains “Ag” in it
advantages of foam dressings
can help retain heat
indications for foam
- Exudating wounds (min to mod)
- Primary or secondary
- Sinus tracts, tunnels, cavities
- Infected wounds (w/antimicrobial)
- Granular wounds
disadvantages of foam
- Wicks in all directions
- Requires secondary
- Maceration over intact skin –> causes it to grow thinner and deteriorate
- Less absorptive when compressed
May adhere
need to look at how much fluid and exudate you have
indications
Hydrofera blue
- Gentian violet/methlyene blue foam
- Rehydrate w/NS
- Bacteriostatic (even MRSA and VRE)
- Highly absorptive
Does not affect growth factor and enzymatic dressings
this is an instance where you would need to wet it
inidcations for hydrocolloid
–Exudating wounds (min)
–Primary dressing
–Sinus tracts, tunnels
–Supports autolytic debridement
–Granular or necrotic
–Pressure ulcers–> MC to prevent from developing into stage 2 or 3 SACRAL AREA
–Protection from incontinence
CHARACTERISTICS of hydrocolloid
–Absorbent (thick)
–Occlusive; autolytic environment
–Promote moist environment
–Protect from external contamination
–Infrequent dressing changes
–Various thickness and shapes
disadvantages to hydracolloid
–Periwound maceration
–Growth of anerobes
–Odor of solublized necrotic tissue
–Broth often mistaken for purulence
can also leave on for a week
probably don’t want to use on really open wounds
characteristics of hydrogel
–Dry and exudating wounds (min)
–Primary dressing REQUIRED
–Sinus tracts, tunnels
–Supports autolytic debridement
–Most wound types (including radiation)
–Infected wounds (w/antimicrobial) although most people just carry plain hydrogel.
- can use in exposed tendon
–Soften eschar/necrotic tissue
–Hydrate wound bed
–Non-adherent
–Conformable (gel and sheets)
–Supports autolytic debridement
–Trauma/pain-free removal, sheets cool
periwound disadvantages
–Periwound maceration
–Requires secondary
–Not for heavily draining wounds
–May need frequent changes
non-adherent dressings
–Painful dressing changes
–Protect healthy tissue
–Painful dressing changes
–Protect healthy tissue
disadvantages of non-adherent dressings
–Non-porous type may macerate
–Petrolatum type may macerate
when would you use transparent film (tegaderm)
–Anchor IV sites
–Stage I pressure ulcers
–Reduce friction
–Donor site dressing for STSG (split thickness skin grafts)
nice for folks that want to take a shower
whta would you use
santyl (enzymatic debriedmant)
what owuld you use on theis highly exudative wound
alginate
