wound care Flashcards
basic terminology
medical asepsis/clean technique
reduce or prevent the spread of microorganisms
basic terminology
surgical asepsis/sterile technique
eliminate all microorganisms
basic terminology
clean
removal of all soil from an object or surface
basic terminology
disinfect and antiseptic
elimination of many germs from inanimate objects (disinfect) or living surfaces (antiseptic)
basic terminology
sterilization
elimination of germs from inanimate objects
basic terminology
leukocytosis
- increased WBC
- > 11000
- likely fighting infection
neutropenia
- decreased WBCs
- increased risk for infection
basic terminology
normal range for WBC
4500-11000
describe wound assessment
-identify type of wound (surgical, traumatic, pressure, burn, other)
-identify location using anatomical location or bony prominence
-remove dressing and examine wound (visual and olfactory assessment)
-observe for drainage, signs of infection, signs of healing
-determine size of wound, especially important for pressure ulcers (measure length (head to toe), width (left to right), depth); note any tunneling, undermining
-observe the wound edges and surrounding skin
what is the basic dressing change procedure
-check order
-medicate and position PRN
-gather supplies
-move garbage can close to bed
-wash hands
-don clean gloves
-remove old dressing
-assess wound
-doff used gloves
-wash hands
-open all supplies
-don gloves (sterile or clean)
-cleanse wound
-dry surrounding skin
-dress wound
-date, time and initial dressing
-remove used gloves
-wash hands
-document
describe wound cleansing
-if ordered, follow orders
-if not ordered, you may use a sommerically available wound cleanser such as normal saline to clean the wound
-generally clean from areas of least contamination to areas of greater contamination (use new swab for each stroke)
-remember to dry peri-wound skin
how do you clean incisions
clean down the incision line then moving away from the incision
how do you clean open wounds
clean from the center of the wound outward in circles
what is the purpose of irrigation
-to clean the area and promote healing
-to instill sntiseptic solution or medication
-to remove excess drainage or other materials
what syringes are used for irrigation
-asepto or bulb syringe
-piston syringe
-catheter tip syringe
-bulb syringe aspirator
describe isotonic solutions
-no antibacterial action
-removes exudates
-moisturizes wound surfaces
-commonly used to cleanse wounds
-sterile normal saline (SNS)
-lactated ringers (LR)
-gentle on granulation tissue
describe chlorohexadine gluconate
-skin antiseptic (kills bacteria, spores, viruses, fungi)
-used preoperatively, before invasive procedures, and sometimes daily
-toxic to granulation tissue (nonselective debrider)
-can be used as a weaker concentration for wounds
-other names: CHG, hibiclens, chroraprep
describe hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
-used for mechanical debridement of open wounds
-causes too much trauma with effervescent action for deep tunneling wounds
-removes blood clots
-no sustained antseptic actions
-not used at full strength
is irrigation a clean or sterile procedure?
sterile
how do you position the pt when irrigating a wound?
-position pt with wound exposed
-place waterproof pad under area to be irrigated
describe preparing supplies for irrigation
-open syringe container
-pour irrigating solution into sterile container
-open supplies needed for dressing change
-place collection basin distal to the wound to catch contaminated fluid
describe where to direct the solution when irrigating
-direct solution to all areas of the wound from superior to inferior edges
-allow gravity to drain fluid from superior to inferior edges
-keep tip of syringe at least 1 inch away from wound
-use consistent pressure
describe the wound irrigation procedure
-position pt with wound exposed
-don clean gloves, remove existing dressing, inspect wound
-doff gloves, perform hand hygiene
-prepare supplies
-perform hand hygiene, don sterile gloves, consider other PPE
-fill syringe with sterile solution
-direct solution to all areas of the wound from superior to inferior edges
-flush until all debris is cleared or until the ordered volume is instilled
-dry surrounding skin with sterile gauze
-apply sterile dressing
what are some different types of dressings
-simple (dry sterile dressing)
-complex/deep (packing, negative pressure/vacuum)
-pressure
describe simple dressings
-wound with luttle to no drainage
-protects wound from injury
-prevents introduction of bacteria
-reduces discomfort
-speeds healing
-used on abrasions, non draining post op incisions
-moisten with SNS to reduce trauma when removing dressing if it is adhered to the wound
describe complex or deep dressings
-long pieces of gauze or dressing materials are used to fill the wound bed
-keeps wound moist or helps absorb excess drainage
-packing is then covered by a DSD
-negative pressure or vacuum dressings
describe using long pieces of gauze or dressing materials to fill a wound bed
-open or unroll gauze
-fluff it loosely, but completely fill the wound bed
wounds that are dry will usually be packed with…
wet or moist gauze
wounds that are draining will usually be packed with…
dry gauze
describe putting and taking out gauze in a wound with slough
-wounds with slough will be mechanically debrided with gauze that is placed into the wound wet and left in plae until it is dry
-as it removed, some nonviable tissue will come out with the gauze
describe negative pressure or vacuum dressings
-requires an roder and special equipment (often rented)
-assists in wound closure by applying negative pressure to draw the edge of the wound together
-accerlerates healing
-reduces edema
-improves circulation
-reduces bacterial counts in the wound
describe a pressure dressing
-used for temporary control of excessive bleeding following trauma, surgery, puncture (intentional and unintentional)
-may stop bleeding
-may be combined with sandbag use
name some different dressing materials
-gauze
-ABD pads
-hydrocolloids/silicone dressings
-trannsparent films
-skin barriers
-tape
-cleansing solutions
-advanced dressing supplies
name some advanced dressing supplies
-hydrogels
-alignates
-collagens
-composites
-contact layers
-silver
-honey
what is the purpose of dressings
-protecting a wound from microorganism contamination
-aiding hemostasis
-promoting healing by absorbing drainage and debriding a wound
-supporting or splinting the wound site
-promoting thermal insulation of the wound surface
-providing a moist environment
describe gauze pads
-2x2s, 4x4s, gauze squares
-can be used sterile or clean
-gauze is primary dressing, used on top of wound
-special types: lodoform, vaseline, xeroform, nugauze
describe fluffed or rollled gauze
-may be referred to as: kerlex, fluff, bulkee
-large or long pieces of loosely woven gauze
-can be layerd or folded to absorb drainage
-used for packing wounds or wrapping extremities
describe ABD pads
-sometimes referred to as combine pads or combination pads
-large, absorbent pads
-generally used as a secondary dressing (over another dressing)