Wound Dressings

Question 1

Types of Wound Dressings (6)

Answer 1

1) Alginates
2) Foam Dressings
3) Gauze
4) Hydrocolloids
5) Hydrogels
6) Transparent film

Question 2

Alginates

Answer 2

Highly absorptive but highly permeable and non-occlusive
Create a hydrophilic gel
Require a secondary dressing
Enables autolytic debridement**

Question 3

Alginate Indications

Answer 3

Partial or full-thickness draining wounds (i.e. pressure or venous ulcers)
Often used on infected wounds due to excessive drainage***

Question 4

Foam Dressings

Answer 4

Composed of a hydrophillic polyurethane base that contacts the wound surface and hydrophobic outer layer that allows absorption of exudate from wound

Question 5

Foam Dressings Indication

Answer 5

Partial and full-thickness wounds with varying levels of exudate
Also used as secondary dressings over amorphous hydrogels**
Encourages autolytic debridement**

Question 6

Gauze Dressings

Answer 6

Comes in many shapes/sizes

Impregnated gauze can be impregnated with petrolatum, zinc, or antimicrobials

Question 7

Gauze Indications

Answer 7

Commonly used on infected and non-infected wounds of any size
Can be used for wet-to-wet, wet-to-moist, or wet-to-dry debridement

Question 8

Hydrocolloids

Answer 8

Consist of gel-forming polymers backed by strong film or foam adhesive that anchors to the skin surrounding the wound
Absorb exudate by swelling into a gel-like mass
Vary in permeability, thickness, and transparency

Question 9

Hydrocolloid Indications

Answer 9

Partial and full-thickness wounds
Can be used with granular or necrotic wounds
Enables autolytic debridement**
Provides moderate absorption
CANNOT be used on infected wounds**

Question 10

Examples of hydrocolloids

Answer 10

carboxymethylcellulose
gelatin
pectin

Question 11

Hyrdogels

Answer 11

Varying amounts of water and gel-forming materials (glycerin)
Available in sheet and amorphous forms
Enables autolytic debridement**

Question 12

Hydrogel indications

Answer 12

Moisture rentientive and commonly on superficial and partial-thickness wounds that have minimal drainage (i.e. abrasions, blisters, pressure uclers)

Question 13

Transparent Films

Answer 13

Made from transparent polyurethane and water-resistant adhesives
Permeable to vapor and oxygen but NOT to water and oxygen
Highly elastic, conform to body controus, and allow easy visual inspection of a wound
Enable autolytic debridement**

Question 14

Transparent Film indications

Answer 14

Superficial or partial-thickness wounds with minimal drainage (i.e. scalds, abrasions, lacerations)

Question 15

Dressings from most occlusive to non-occlusive

Answer 15

Hydrocolloids, hydrogels