Wound Dressing and Products

Question 1

What do we clean a wound with, and why do we clean a wound?

Answer 1

Normal saline - it is non-toxic and isotonic.

We clean it to help prevent wound infection and remove foreign bodies, as well as excessive exudate, slough and/or debris.

Question 2

Antiseptic solutions are recommended. True or false. Explain.

Answer 2

False.

Antiseptic solutions are toxic to fibroblasts and granulation tissue. They also decrease micro circulation and cause skin sensitivity. In some cases though there are occasional exceptions.

Question 3

Name three management goals.

Answer 3

• keep wound moist
• keep wound clean
• protect the wound from trauma
• maintain skin integrity

Question 4

Name four characteristics of optimal wound dressings.

Answer 4

• ensures moist environment
• removes excess exudate
• allows gas exchange
• provides thermal insulation
• is impermeable to micro-organisms
• is particle free & non-toxic
• non-traumatic on removal

Question 5

Name six types of dressings.

Answer 5

• N/A dressings
• semi-permeable films
• foams
• calcium alginates
• hydrocolloids
• hydrogels
• odour absorption
• pressure relieving
• haemostatic
• fixation sheets

Question 6

Explain hydrogels.

Answer 6

• gel consisting of up to 95% water
• foam dressings
• low/moderate exudate
• swell when fluid is absorbed
• provide a moist environment
• used to rehydrate sloughy/necrotic wounds
• used on pressure ulcers, minor burns, donor sites

Question 7

Explain film dressings.

Answer 7

• thin membrane adhesive on one side
• permeable to moisture vapour
• water proof
• used on dry/sightly exudating wounds
• minor burns, grazes, lacerations, IV sites

Question 8

Explain foam dressings.

Answer 8

• allow wound bed to stay moist
• no maceration of surrounding skin
• absorbs excess exudate
• cushions and protects wound site
• used on a wide range of wounds

Question 9

Explain hydrocolloids

Answer 9

• promote a moist wound environment
• waterproof, bacteria proof & conformable
• wound contact surface adhesive until in contact with exudate
• exudate absorbed, dressing then becomes a soft gel
• leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, burns

Question 10

Explain alginates.

Answer 10

• derived from seaweed
• moderately/highly exudating wounds
• come as sheets or ropes
• absorbs exudate and from a gel which provides a moist environment
• can be used initially for wounds bleeding heavily
• can be left in situ for 3-4 days

Question 11

Explain hydroactive.

Answer 11

• provide a moist wound environment
• do not adhere to the wound
• waterproof
• flexible/conformable dressing
• similar to hydrocolloids, do not form gel but swell and trap fluid