Wound Management

Question 1

What is the aim of the tissue viability service?

Answer 1

To support health care practitioners to provide professional, evidence based and clinically confident and competent tissue viability care

Question 2

What are the services that the tissue viability provide? (6)

Answer 2

1. Pressure ulcer assessment and management
2. prevention of pressure ulcers
3. leg ulcers assessment and management
4. wound management
5. negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)
6. Advice on wound management

Question 3

In terms of wound closure, define primary intention

Answer 3

this is a direct closure of 2 wound edges with the use of stitches (sutures), staples or tissue glue

Question 4

In terms of wound closure, define secondary intention

Answer 4

secondary closure referred to as ;wound healing by granulation.’ Tissue will regenerate from the wound base upwards to fill the gap and close the wound

Question 5

In terms of wound closure, define tertiary closure

Answer 5

The wound remains open to allow for drainage/infection management etc. Prior to closure of wound edges or skin grafting

Question 6

What are the 4 stages of wound healing?

Answer 6

1. Haemostasis
2. Inflammation
3. Proliferative
4. Maturation

Question 7

Name some factors that would affect wound healing (5)

Answer 7

• Oxygenation
• Infection
• Foreign body
• Venous sufficiency
• Age and gender
• Nutrition
• Sex hormones
• Stress
• Ischaemia
• Diseases e.g. diabetes, jaundice, kidney disease
• Obesity
• Medications: steroids, NSAIDs, chemotherapy
• Alcoholism and smoking
• Immunocompromised conditions: cancer, radiotherapy, AIDs

Question 8

Name some properties of an ideal dressing (5)

Answer 8

• Bacteria proof
• Allows gaseous exchange
• Manages exudate
• Non-adherent
• Fibre and toxin free
• Hypoallergenic
• Maintains haemostasis and optimum temperature
• Acceptability to patient
• Cost effect