Wound Dressings Flashcards
(136 cards)
Dressings Goals
Maintain moist wound bed Protect surrounding skin Control exudate Fill dead space Protect wound from environment Allow gas exchange so O2,H20,CO2 can pass through dressing Maintain normal thermia Impermeable to microorganisms Non-traumatic with removal Maintain correct ph
Moist Wound Healing
Traps endogenous enzymes to facilitate autolytic debridement Preserves endogenous growth factors Reduces patient pain complaints Reduces hypertrophic scarring Faster healing
Protect Surrounding Skin
Use skin protectants at wound borders to prevent maceration
Make sure dressing adequately controls drainage.
Avoid aggressive adhesive, especially on fragile skin
What dressing to use to on extremity to protect surround skin?
circumferential dressing
What dressing to use to on abdomen to protect surround skin?
abdomen Montgomery straps can be left in place to avoid excessive skin trauma
Moisture barriers
Ointments or creams
Prevents peri-wound rashes/skin breakdown
Can apply to macerated skin
Moisturizers
Key component of basic skin care
Help restore barrier function of epidermis
Maintain/restore skin hydration
Avoid those with perfume or alcohol (possible skin reaction)
Apply to intact skin
Petrolatum may penetrate best
Ointments are more occlusive than creams or lotions
Too Moist
Maceration- skin becomes fragile and susceptible to colonization
May increase wound size
Increased chance of infection
Protect wound from environment
Adequate padding to prevent trauma
Adequate coverage to prevent exposure to contaminates
Adequate layers/absorption to prevent strike through drainage
Allow gas exchange
Adequate permeability to allow O2,H20,CO2 transfer
Impermeable to microorganisms
If strike through drainage occurs, allows conduit for bacteria
Insure adequate coverage to prevent environmental exposure
Non-traumatic with removal
Insure dressing can be removed without trauma to granulation tissue
Also important for pain control
What does maintaining the wound bed temperature at 98 degrees do?
mytotic activity increases increasing the proliferative response up to 108%.
What happens when the wound bed cools?
cellular activity drops dramatically
What does warmth stimulate?
adequate perfusion of tissue
Classes
Semipermeable Transparent Films Hydrogels Hydrocolloids Foams Absorptive Dressings/Alginates Gauze Other specialized dressings
What are semipermeable film dressings?
Thin sheets of transparent polyurethane with adhesive backing
What do semipermeable film dressings allow?
Allow visualization of wound bed Permeable to water vapor, O2, CO2 Highly elastic and conformable Keeps wound moist Protects against shear
What do semipermeable film dressings stop?
Impermeable to bacteria and water
Non- absorptive/non insulating
What are semipermeable film dressings used on?
Used on clean wounds
May use as secondary dressing
May leave in place > 5-7days
What should semipermeable film dressings not be used on?
Infected wounds
Wounds with moderate to heavy drainage
Patients with fragile skin
Semipermeable Film Dressings Precautions/Contraindications:
Skin sealant may be needed to protect periwound
Must maintain good edge seal
Semipermeable Film Dressings Common uses:
Superficial or partial-thickness wounds Skin tears Donor sites Areas of friction Abrasions Over IV catheters to allow bathing/whirlpool Over wounds for ultrasound treatments
Benefits of Semipermeable Film Dressing
Moisture-retentive dressing Encourages autolytic debridement Reduces friction, protects against shear Allows visualization of wound bed Waterproof Cost less over time