Wound Care Flashcards
Gauze
useful during early debridement, exudate present, wounds with dead space or tunneling, necrotic tissues with exudate. Can be used with infected wounds
Contraindicated directly over granulation tissue without a non adherent dressing between
Wet to dry gauze
mechanical debridement of necrotic tissue and slough
Continuous dry
heavily exudating wounds
Continuous moist
protection of clean wounds, autolytic debridement of eschar, delivery of topical needs
Occlusive dressing
Maintains tissue hydration, facilitates autolytic debridement, wound healing with less pain
Contraindicated over infected wounds, deep ischemic ulcers, full thickness burns, very heavy exudate, over stage IV ulcers
Alginates
Used with moderate to large amounts of exudate or with a combination of exudate and necrosis. Need a secondary gauze or film dressing on top
Not recommended for dry or light exudate
Films
Maintains a moist wound environment with minimum to moderate exudate often stage I and stage II pressure ulcers
Not to be used on wounds with fragile edges or on infected wounds
Foams
Cushions and protects the wound. Requires a second dressing.
Not to be used for dry eschar or wounds with no exudate
Hydrocolloid
Maintains a moist wound environment, non adhesive, good bacterial barrier
Do not use over infected wounds
Hydrogels
Used with partial or full thickness wounds with necrosis (tissue damage from radiation or burns). Absorbs minimal exudate, requires a secondary dressing
Not used with large exudate, may macerate surrounding skin
Nonadherent
Gauzelike dressing that doesn’t adhere to the wound, promotes granulation or inhibit bacterial growth. Require a secondary dressing, are non absorptive.
Semirigid
Pliable non stretching dressing impregnated with ointment. Used for venous insufficiency to control edema and help with healing
