Wound Care Products, Dressings, & Drains Flashcards
What is the function of bandages?
- allow/absorb drainage
- mechanical debridement
- prevent contamination
- warmth increases the rate & strength of tissue repair
- apply pressure to decrease dead space, bleeding, & oedema
- immobilisation provides comfort
- protects the wound from the environment & the environment from the wound
- aesthetic function
What two types of non-adherent primary layer can be used?
Occlusive - impermeable to air
Semi-occlusive - allows air to penetrate & exudates to escape
What two types of adherent primary layer can be used?
Dry adherent - large vol, low viscosity exudate
Wet adherent - viscous exudate, adherent foreign/necrotic material
Adherent primary ‘wet to dry’ bandages are…
very common
How does a ‘wet to dry’ primary layer of bandage work?
Use saline-soaked gauze applied directly to a wound. Regular changes are required. Mechanical debridement occurs as the dried out gauze are removed from the wound
When is a wet-to-dry primary layer used?
first 3-5 days of a wound
Non-adherent dressings in a primary layer are used…
when granulation tissue is present
Non-adherent dressings characteristics include:
- are non-traumatic
- absorbs exudates
- keeps wounds moist
- maintains adequate oxygen tension
- does not stick to the wound surface
- semi-occlusive to allow moist wound environment to promote epithelialization and allowing drainage preventing tissue maceration
What are types of non-adherent dressings?
- mesh dressings w/ petroleum
- hydrogels
- hydrophilic foams
- cotton non-adherent film dressings
Petroleum impregnated gauze dressings are contraindicated in…
draining wounds
Petroleum gauze slows…
epithelialization
Hydrogels maintain…
a moist wound environment
Hydrogel characteristics:
- increase oxygenation to the wound
- debriding capacity
- preserve viable epithelial & deeper cells
- non-adherent/soothing
- not suitable for moderate to highly exuding wounds
Hydrophilic foam characteristics:
- moist & warm wound environment
- can be left in place for longer than most dressings
- significant absorptive capacity
- reduced frequency of dressing changes
- minimal disruption to the healing process
Characteristics of cotton non-adherent film dressings:
- film prevents dressing from adhering to wound surface
- perforations allow the passage of exudate from the wound to the pad
- can be used as a primary wound contact layer for more heavily exuding wounds if backed by a second absorbent dressing
Cotton non-adherent film dressings can be used on…
dry sutured wounds, superficial cuts & abrasions, and other lightly exuding lesions
Honey is…
antibacterial, deodorizing, debriding, anti-inflammatory, and wound-pain reducing
Bandage layers consist of what layers?
primary - determined by the wound
secondary - cotton wool/cast padding
tertiary - cohesive or adhesive bandage
Drains are used to…
direct fluid out of a wound or body cavity
passive drainage uses
gravity or capillary action to draw fluid from the wound or cavity
Penrose drains act by
gravity or capillary action
Penrose drains are used in wounds with…
foreign material, contamination, non-viable tissue, or dead space
Rigid/semi-rigid tube drain (fenestrated/non-fenestrated) drains are
more rigid than Penrose drains and therefore cause greater irritation and allows intermittent suction
Active drains are more efficient due to
negative pressure applied continually or intermittently
Closed suction drains decrease the likelihood of…
ascending infection that can be associated with passive drains
Simple closed suction drains are small active drains made from…
a butterfly catheter and a vacutainer
Thoracic cavities warrant what drain type?
- fenestrated semi-rigid tube drain
- 3 way tap & gate clamp (Heimlich valve)
The abdominal cavity warrants what drain type?
open peritoneal drainage
Wounds warrant what drain type?
Penrose drains
Septic joints warrant what drain type?
Penrose or active drains
What goes into drain management?
- drains need to be secured to avoid dislodgement
- drainage output should be measured & recorded
- changes in character or volume of fluid should be noted
- use measurements of fluid loss to assist IV replacement of fluids
- Drains should be left in place until fluid decreases in quantity and no longer appears purulent
- fluid can be evaluated by cytologic examination
