Wound Debridement

Question 1

What methods can be used to clean wounds?

Answer 1

Scrubbing with gauze
Lavage
Saline (no hypertonic saline on bone)

Question 2

When are antiseptics useful?

Answer 2

To clean the very surface of a wound of the area surrounding a wound, but they will not penetrate deeper into the wound to kill bacteria
Should not be used in clean wounds

Question 3

What are the different methods of debridement?

Answer 3

Autolytic
Biological
Enzymatic (Chemical)
Mechanical
Sharp

Question 4

Autolytic Debridement

Answer 4

Breakdown of necrotic tissue by enzymes
Achieved under occlusive dressings

Question 5

Biological Debridement

Answer 5

Maggots
Digest necrotic tissue and pathogenic bacteria

Question 6

Enzymatic (Chemical) Debridement

Answer 6

Topical application of preoteolytic enzymes to breakdown devitalized tissue

Question 7

Mechanical Debridement

Answer 7

Removal of devitalized tissue by physical forces
Wet-to-dry dressing, wound irrigation, gauze manipulation

Question 8

Sharp Debridement

Answer 8

Scalpel/curette, laser
Quickest and most efficient

Question 9

What is the rule of thumb with questionable skin flaps?

Answer 9

It is generally better to suture skin flaps if possible, even if viability is questionable

Question 10

What do the different colors of wounds signify?

Answer 10

Black = necrotic
Yellow = fibrinous
Red = granulation
Pink = epithelium