Wounds: Dressings

Question 1

Dressings:

Alignate dressings

Answer 1

• Moisture absorption-Forms matrix in wound bed
• Ex. Alginate, Acticoat (w/ Silver=antimicrobial)
• Type of Wound: Infx wound not able to be covered by occlusive dressing; Burns, Stage 2-3-4 pressure ulcer, venous. Partial/Full-thick wounds
• Contraindications: Wounds w/ exposed tendon, jt cap, bone
• NO barrier for bacteria, need 2nd dressing to hold in place

Question 2

Dressings:

Collagen dressings

Answer 2

• Reduce protease lvls; forms matrix on would bed; highly absorptive
• Ex. Biosetp Collagen, Triple Helix
• Type of Wounds: Acute/Chronic; Mod-Heavy-Copious drain wounds; Burns, Stage ⅔/4 pressure ulcer

Question 3

Dressings:

Composite dressings

Answer 3

• 3 Layers:
  
  1. Closest to wound→ allows moisture to pass thru and be non-stick
  2. Absorbent and pulls drainage from wound
  3. Waterproof so wound protected but drainage cannot leak out easily
• Ex. Composite

Question 4

Dressings:

Foam dressings

Answer 4

• Moisture absorption
• Ex. Mepilex
• Type of Wound: Infx, burns, stage ½/¾ pressure ulcers, venous, partial/full-thick wounds
• Precautions: May roll in area excess friction, adhesive form may traumatize periwound
• Contraindications: Dry wounds (bc for moisture*)
• Can be 2* dressing over amophous hydrogels

Question 5

Dressings:

Gauze NON-Impregnated

Answer 5

• Maint’s opening for drainage in tunneling wound, can gently support drainage for cavity wound. Wound fillers/packing wounds
• Ex. 4x4 gauze, packing gauze
• Type of Wound: Tunneling + Cavity
• Precautions: Can leave contaminants in wound, be adherent to tissue, permeable to bacteria
• Reqs freq. changes, incd infx rate vs occlusive dressings

Question 6

Dressings:

Gauze Impregnated

Answer 6

• Designed to be less adherent than gauze (non-imp.) Primary dressing for new sutures to prevent from catch or stick
• Ex. Xeroform
• Type of Wound: Suture protection, some infx wounds and non-infx wounds

Question 7

Dressings:

Hydrocolloid dressings

Answer 7

• Maint. moisture lvls. Does NOT absorb fluid quickly, can be valuable w/ wound exudate lvls transitioning from high to low quants.
• Ex. Tegasorb, DuoDerm CGF Control
• Type of Wound: NO, scant, or min. drainage woulds, Mild-Mod exudating wounds. Cover and protect larvae during maggot debridement. Burns, Stage ⅔/4 pressure ulcers, venous wounds, partial/full-thick wounds, granular or necrotic
• Precautions: May traumatize surround intact skin. Can roll in areas excess friction
• Contraindications: Infx wounds
• PT & caregiver edu. on yellow, malodours mass that is formed from rxn bw material (dressing) and wound exudate

Question 8

Dressings:

Hydrogel dressing, Gauze or Sheet form

Answer 8

• INC moisture in dry wound bed, soften necrotic tissue, support debridement. SOME absorptive quals.
• Ex. Aquaform hydrogel
• Type of Wound: Infx wound, burns, stage ⅔/4 pressure, venous ulcers
• Precautions: Dressing may dehydrate
• Contraindications: Wound w/ sig. drainage
• MUST be contained w/ 2* dressing

Question 9

Dressings:

Hydrogel Amorphous dressing

Answer 9

• INC moisture in dry wound bed, soften necrotic tissue, support debridement. SOME absorptive quals.
• Ex. Spray hydrogel
• Type of Wounds: Dry/necrotic, Super/partial-thick (abrasions, blisters, pressure ulcers)
• Precautions: Dressing may dehydrate
• Contraindications: Wound w/ sig. drainage
• MUST be contained w/ 2* dressing

Question 10

Dressings:

Transparent Films

Answer 10

• Prevents moisture loss from wound tissues. Does not allow moisture to be added or removed. RETAINS moisture lvls.
• Ex. Tegaderm, Second Skin
• Type of Wound: No, scant, or min drainage wounds, burns, stage ½ pressure inj’s, Superf/Partial-Thick wounds (scald, abrasions, lacerations)
• Precautions: Extreme caution w/ removal bc adhesion can cause skin tears, esp fragile/aging skin
• Contraindications: Infx wounds