Wound Care Dressing Categories

Question 1

Gauze dressing is used for

Answer 1

To protect surgical or minimally draining wounds, or wound packing

Question 2

Gauze dressing requires

Answer 2

A cover dressing to remain intact

Question 3

Gauze does not support

Answer 3

Moisture vapour transfer
-limited role in absorbing drainage

Question 4

Frequency of change for a gauze dressing

Answer 4

Daily or when saturated or soiled

Question 5

What is the best use for transparent film?

Answer 5

-securing IV tubing
-keeping a dressing intact and occlusive (NPWT)

Question 6

Transparent film is not suitable for

Answer 6

Wounds with moderate to large amounts of drainage, fragile periwound skin, third degree burns

Question 7

Gauze is mostly used to

Answer 7

Clean wounds, occasionally for packing

Question 8

Transparent film is used to help

Answer 8

Visualize wound and skin underneath dressing

Question 9

To remove transparent film you must

Answer 9

Use a lateral pull
-start at transverse edge, go slowly
-avoid adhesive remover as it further dries skin

Question 10

Frequency of change for transparent film

Answer 10

3-4 days or when drainage/exudate remains on the wound or periwound skin

Question 11

What is the use for hydro colloid dressing

Answer 11

Automatic debridement of non infected wounds with slough or necrotic tissue
-pressure injures (2,3,unstageable)

Question 12

Thin hydrocolloid dressing maybe used for

Answer 12

Friction or shearing

Question 13

Hydrocolloid dressing is not suitable for

Answer 13

-infected wounds
-moderate to significant drainage
-third degree burns
-arterial wounds
-fragile skin due to adhesive dressing

Question 14

Important aspects of hydrocolloid dressing

Answer 14

-protect periwound skin with barrier wipe prior to application
-dressing will wrinkle and cream coloured material will be visible as autolysis occurs
-odour may be present with removal (this is not infection it is due to dressing)

Question 15

Frequency of change of hydrocolloid dressing

Answer 15

Every 5-7 days, or when autolyzed material is within 1.5 cm of border

Question 16

When do you use Hydrogel dressing

Answer 16

Promoting moisture in a dry wound bed
-partial to full thickness, pressure injury
-shallow to deep wounds
-dry to light exudate
-necrotic

Question 17

Hydrogel dressing is suitable for

Answer 17

Third degree burns, wounds with existing drainage
-when hydrocolloid is already used

Question 18

Hydrogel requires

Answer 18

A cover dressing

Question 19

Hydrogel dressing can be used to

Answer 19

Moisten ribbon or gauze dressing to decrease trauma to wound bed

Question 20

Frequency of change for hydrogel dressing

Answer 20

Per wound bed requirement, generally 2-4 days so that hydrogel interacts with wound bed tissue

Question 21

What is the use for Alginate and hydrofibre dressings

Answer 21

-moderate to heavy draining wounds
-shallow or deep
-pressure injury
-venous ulcers

Mainly absorption of exudate!!

Question 22

Alginate and hydro fibre dressings are not suitable for

Answer 22

Dry wounds, third degree burns, wounds with dry eschar, or in combination with hydrogels

Question 23

Alginate and hydrofibre dressings are highly…

Answer 23

Absorptive

Question 24

Frequency of change for alginate and hydrofibre dressings

Answer 24

Per wound requirements, but minimum of 2 days

Question 25

Foam dressing is primarily used for

Answer 25

Moderate to heavy exudate wounds, partial/full thickness wounds, shallow/deep, stage 3/4 pressure injuries

Question 26

Foam dressing is not suitable for

Answer 26

Dry wounds, ischemic wounds with dry eschar, third degree burns

Question 27

How frequently should foam dressing be changed

Answer 27

When drainage appears to fill the dressing
-usually 3 to 5 days, maximum 7 days