Wound Care Dressings

Question 1

transparent film pros

Answer 1

Tegaderm

• less care than gauze
• water-resistant
• autolytic debridement
• retains moisture

Question 2

transparent film cons

Answer 2

Tegaderm

• may dislodge in high friction areas
• difficult to apply/handle
• minimal exudate management
• maceration - wound intact w/ too much moisture

Question 3

Hydrogels wound type

Answer 3

dry arterial ulcers, non-exudate wounds

Question 4

hydrogels pros

Answer 4

• min to mod absorption
• autolytic debridement
• fills in dead space
• cheap and easy to apply

Question 5

hydrogels cons

Answer 5

• requires secondary dressing
• dehydrates if not covered
• might cause maceration - skin in contact w/ moisture for too long

Question 6

Foam pros

Answer 6

• warm, moist environment ideal for healing
• works well on bony prominences
• cushion and compression
• barrier against bacteria
• suitable for hypergranulation wounds

Question 7

Foam cons

Answer 7

• wounds may dry out
• maceration can occur
• not suitable for 3rd degree burns, sinus tracts or wounds w/ dry eschar

Question 8

calcium alginates pros

Answer 8

• absorbant - for moderate to heavy exudate
• regulates blood flow and promotes clotting
• promotes quicker and efficient healing

Question 9

calcium alginates wounds

Answer 9

• deep pressure ulcers
• diabetic ulcers
• venous ulcers

Question 10

calcium alginates cons

Answer 10

• don’t use on dry wounds or wounds that bleed heavy

- if left on too long it will be painful to take off

Question 11

hydrocolloids wounds

Answer 11

non-infected wounds w/ low exudate

Question 12

hydrocolloids pros

Answer 12

• impermeable to bacteria
• only adheres to surrounding skin
• minimal healing disruption b/c only needs changing every couple of days

Question 13

hydrocolloids cons

Answer 13

• can dislodge w/ heavy exudate
• periwound may macerate
• may cause hypergranulation
• can curl up edges
• gel that forms is thick/yellow and can be mistaken for infection

Question 14

hydrofibers pros

Answer 14

• very absorptive - moderate to heavy exudate
• useful in deep wounds
• maintain moist environment
• encourages autolytic debridement
• dressing can last up to 3 days

Question 15

hydrofibers cons

Answer 15

• expensive
• can expand and overfill
• requires secondary dressing
• cannot be used on patients sensitive to silver

Question 16

What is the difference between calcium alginates and hydrofibers?

Answer 16

hydrofibers has stitching so it will not fall apart in wounds like calcium alginates
- hydrofibers is the “next generation” of calcium alginates

Question 17

What is needed for medical grade honey application? What should be done if applying to LE?

Answer 17

• need good blood flow

- check pedal pulses in LE

Question 18

medical grade honey wounds

Answer 18

• wounds
• sores
• ulcers
• partial or full-thickness burns

Question 19

medical grade honey pros

Answer 19

• rapidly clean slough and eschar
• promotes fast healing - autolytic debridement
• for wounds w/ moderate to heavy exudate
• reduces odor
• reduces edema
• lowers wound pH
• beneficial for multidrug-resistant bacteria

Question 20

medical grade honey cons

Answer 20

• can’t use if patient is allergic to bee venom
• batch to batch variation in antibacterial activity
• if diabetic, monitor sugar levels if wound is large

Question 21

collagenase (Santyl) characteristics

Answer 21

• slow acting because it is cleaving the collagen connecting necrotic tissue to healthy tissue. More effective when combined with selective sharp debridement to allow enzyme to penetrate deeper.

Question 22

collagenase (Santyl) pros

Answer 22

• change once a day
• no known contraindications
• not harmful to health tissue

Question 23

collagenase (Santyl) cons

Answer 23

• expensive
• slow effects
• requires MD prescription

Question 24

What is considered the first line dressing choice for partial/deep thickness burns?

Answer 24

Silver Sulfadiazene (Silvadene)

Question 25

Silver Sulfadiazene (Silvadene) pros

Answer 25

• decrease risk of sepsis
• inhibits bacterial growth
• bactericidal against gram negative and gram positive as well as yeast

Question 26

Silver Sulfadiazene (Silvadene) cons

Answer 26

• leukopenia
• necrosis
• screening for kidney and liver problems
• interstitial nephritis
• pain, burning, sulfa allergies