Wound care products

Question 1

What are the Correct dressings for when a wound changes

Answer 1

Wound conditionn+ product+ why

• Hard dry black -> Hydrogel -> hydrate separate eschar
• Exuding yellow -> Alginate -> Absorb exudate , debridement
• Moist red -> Hydrocolloid -> Provide barrier and control humidity
• Pink/red -> Transparent film -> Allow epithelialisation, reduce shear

Question 2

Type of wound care for Granulating &
epithelialising
wounds

Answer 2

Hydrocolloids
Soft silicone dressing
Transparent films

Question 3

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydrocolloid dressings?

Answer 3

• Advantages
  . Waterproof which allows patients to
  shower
  . Absorbs Exudate
  . Reduces pain
• Disadvantages:
  . they can encourage the growth of anaerobic bacteria
  . difficult to keep in place
  . caution on fragile-> adhesive may cause trauma

Question 4

Characteristics of Silicone Dressings

Answer 4

• forms to different anatomical shapes
• Does not cause trauma to wound/surrounding skin
• Absorbs moderate amount of exudate
• Used on infected wounds (if appropriate antibiotic treatment)

Question 5

When are Foams used?

Answer 5

• Low to heavily exudated wound
• Granulating and epithelialising wounds

Question 6

When to use Impregnated Gauze

Answer 6

o Can be adherent
o New tissue trauma due to drying out and leaving
indentations in the wound bed
o Pain
o Bleeding
o Contact dermatitis

Question 7

What are Judgments + decisions for yellow wounds

Answer 7

yellow wounds are Slough or purulent exudate

Remove non-viable tissue & manage exudate
- clean by swabbing
- promote autolytic debridement; absorb exudate; may need to add moisture (hydrogel)
- If colonisation of microorganisms and
biofilm consider topical antimicrobial
dressing Iodine, Silver)

Question 8

Type of dressing for Sloughy Wound

Answer 8

Alginate
Impregnated
hydrogel
Hydrofibres

Question 9

Type of dressing for Infected wound

Answer 9

Antimicrobial dressings - Silver dressing
Odour absorbing dressings - Charcoal

Question 10

Making
judgements
& decisions - Black wounds

Answer 10

They are Necrotic tissue or
eschar tissue

• Require debridement - rehydrate the wound bed and body’s own enzymes break down tissue;
  autolytic debridement

Question 11

Necrotic/Eschar wound

Answer 11

Debride (remove dead tissue)
- rehydrate the wound (help break down tissue)
- Manage odour

Question 12

What are Secondary Dressings?

Answer 12

• secure primary
  dressing
• protect
  and absorb
  exudate and odour

 Non-stick dressing Absorbent pads Charcoal
 Bandages
 Tapes