Wound Dressings Flashcards
What is the difference between a primary and secondary dressing?
A primary dressing goes directly on top of a wound while a secondary dressing is applied over the primary dressing to offer more protection, absorption, occlusion, or secure the primary bandage
What are Alginate Dressings?
Dressings derived from seaweed extraction which are highly absorptive but also highly permeable and non-occlusive which requires a secondary dressing
When are Alginate Dressings indicated?
alginates are typically used on partial or full thickness draining wounds such as pressure or venous insufficiency ulcers and are also used frequently with infected wounds due to the likelihood of excessive drainage
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Alginate Dressings?
Advantage: high absorptive, enable autolytic debridement, offers microbial protection, can be used on infected wounds, does not adhere to wound
Disadvantages: needs frequent changing, needs a secondary dressing, cannot be used on wounds with exposed tendon, bone, or joint capsule
What are Foam Dressings?
dressings composed of a hydrophilic base that contacts the wound surface and a hydrophobic outer layer which allows exudate to be absorbed via the hydrophilic layer, these bandages usually come as sheets or pads and can be adhesive or non-adhesive
When are Foam Dressings Indicated?
Used to provide protection and absorption over partial and full thickness wounds with varying levels of exudate and can also be used as secondary dressings over amorphous hydrogels
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Foam Dressing?
Advantage: provides a moist environment for wound healing and encourages autolytic debridement, can be adhesive or not, provides prophylactic protection and cushioning and provides moderate absorption
Disadvantages: can tend to roll in areas, adhesiveness may traumatize peri-wound upon removal, and lacks transparency making wound observation difficult
What are the indications for gauze dressings?
commonly used on infected or non-infected wounds of any size and can be used for wet-to-wet, wet-to-moist, or wet-to-dry application
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Gauze Dressing?
Advantage: readily available and cost effective, can be used alone or in combination of other dressings, can be used on infected wounds, and can modify number of layers of dressing
Disadvantage: adheres to the wound, highly permeable, requires frequent changing, and has an increased infection rate than occlusive dressings
What are Hydrocolloid Dressings?
dressings that consist of gel-forming polymers backed by a strong film or foam adhesive that attaches to the skin surrounding a wound and absorb exudate by swelling into a gel-like mass and vary in permeability, thickness, and transparency
When are Hydrocolloids Indicated?
useful for full or partial thickness wounds and can be used effectively for granular or necrotic wounds
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Hydrocolloid Dressings?
Advantage: provides moist environment for wound healing, enables autolytic debridement, offers microbial protection, moderate absorption, waterproof, and does not need a secondary dressing
Disadvantage: can be traumatizing to skin to remove, can roll in areas of high friction, and cannot be used on infected wounds
What are Hydrogel Dressings?
dressings that consist of varying amount of water and gel-forming materials such as glycerin
When are Hydrogels indicated?
are commonly used for superficial or partial-thickness wounds that have minimal drainage due to being moisture retentive
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Hydrogel Dressings?
Advantage: provides moist environment, enables autolytic debridement, can reduce pressure and minimize pain, minimal wound adherence, and can be absorptive
Disadvantages: dressing can dehydrate, cannot be used on wounds with significant damage, and typically requires a secondary dressing
