Term
Explain the relevance of amount and type of exudate on choice of a dressing for a wound. |
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Definition
If there is a lot of exudate, you will want an absorptive dressing. If there is not a lot of exudate, you will want to use a transparent film dressing. A hydrocolloid can be used to maintain moisture in a dry wound. |
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Term
What type of dressing will need to be used in the incontinent patient? |
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Definition
Absorptive dressing, to avoid maceration. |
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Term
Your patient presents with a wound with 50% coverage in necrotic tissue. Explain the type of dressing you will use for this wound. |
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Definition
The wound will need to be debrided prior to dressing. You will use a wet to dry dressing to help remove necrotic tissue. |
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Term
On what type of tissue would a wet to dry dressing be contraindicated? |
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Definition
Over granualation tissue, or during the re-epithelialization phase. |
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Term
What type of dressing might you use over granulation tissue to avoid adherence to the tissue, and to promote adequate moisture? |
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Definition
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Term
Your patient has an infected would. Will you use an occlusive or non occlusive dressing? Why? |
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Definition
You'll use a non occlusive dressing, because occlusive dressings will trap the infection against the tissue and promote more infection. |
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Term
List some types of absorptive dressings that you might use to protect skin from maceration, in the wound with excessive moisture. |
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Definition
beads, powders, pastes, alignates, foams, hydrocolloids |
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Term
Your patient's wound is producing excess exudate, and has visible trauma around the edges of the wound. Which of the following absorptive dressings is most appropriate for this case? Beads, Powder, Paste or Foam? |
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Definition
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Term
How will the bandages differ between a wound caused by friction, a wound caused by repetetive trauma, and a wound caused by maceration? |
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Definition
Friction wound = bandage to decr. friction. Repeated Trauma Wound = padded bandage. Maceration Wound = absoprive bandage. |
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Term
Your patient's wound has undermining around the edge, and it is producing excess exudate. Would use of a foam be useful in this situation? Why or why not? |
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Definition
NO! Foam, as well as beads and some powders will swell as they absorb moisture, which would increase the undermining. This type of wound can be packed with impregnated gauze, which will help absorb excess moisture, but will not swell and cause further damage. |
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Term
Identify the cause of the following exudate colors. White, Yellow, Green |
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Definition
White = WBC in area (infection may be present) Yellow = There is excessive bacteria, and maybe some infection. Green = there is an anaerobic infection. |
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Term
As you remove the dressing from a wound, there is a strong odor. You clean the wound, and notice that the odor is no longer present. What do you think is causing the odor? |
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Definition
Soluable necrotic tissue. If this were infected, the odor would continue to be present after cleansing, and you would be able to express exudate after cleaning. |
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Term
If you read in the chart that a patient has scant exudate, would you think this is a good thing or a bad thing? Why? |
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Definition
It is a good thing. The wound is moist, with no measurable exudate. This condition is optimal for repair. |
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Term
A patient's chart reveals to you that there is a moderate amount of exudate in the wound. Is this good or bad news for the healing process? |
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Definition
It's BAD NEWS! This means the wound is saturated and drainage is not evenly distributed. This is detrimental to the healing process. |
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Term
You wish to accomplish the following for your patient: clean their intact skin, absorb moderate amounts of exudate, and fill some dead space. What type of dressing would you use? |
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Definition
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Term
What are the contraindications to using a gauze dressing? (2) |
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Definition
Presence of healthy granulation tissue, and in a dry wound. |
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Term
Why would you use an impregnated gauze? Can you use it to pack cavities or undermined areas? |
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Definition
To cover a wound, to protect a wound, to absorb LOW amounts of exudate. YES |
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Term
You have a patient who has a non-infected partial thickness wound caused by a burn. Your goal is to protect from friction. The wound has a small amount of non-infectious exudate. What would be your dressing of choice? |
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Definition
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Term
What type of dressing will you use over an abrasion, blister, donor site, or over newly healed skin? |
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Definition
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Term
Under what conditions would a transparent film be contraindicated? (6) |
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Definition
Moderate/Large amounts of exudate, stage 4 pressure ulcers, cavity wounds, undermining or sinus tracts, 3rd degree burns, infected wounds. |
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Term
You wish to maintain wound moisture, but also absorb a low amount of exudate in a patient who has a uneven, deep ulcer. Your goal is to protect the wound and prevent secondary infection. What would be the dressing of choice to meet the above criteria? |
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Definition
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Term
You have a patient with no exudate in his stage 3 pressure ulcer. He is at risk for infection because of the dry environment, and you need to enhance moisture. What will you use as a dressing? |
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Definition
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Term
Can amorphous hydrogels be used in an infected wound? |
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Definition
Yes. It can be used as an antibacterial as well, if it contains topical agents. |
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Term
There is only one contraindication for the use of amorphous hydrogels. What is it? |
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Definition
Presence of excessive moisture. |
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Term
In what situations would you not choose a hydrocolloid? (5 major) |
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Definition
Infections, fragile or damaged periwound area (adhesive can cause trauma), sinus tracts, large amounts of drainage, full thickness burns. |
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Term
What do impregnated and non-impregnated gauzes, hydrocolloids, calcium alginates, and foam dressings have in common? |
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Definition
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Term
ARe transparent film dressings and hydrogels occlusive or semi-permeable? |
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Definition
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Term
What types of dressings can you use to absorb large amounts of excess moisture? |
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Definition
gauze, impregnated gauze, calcium alginates, beads, powders, foams |
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Term
What type of dressing can also be used for mechanical debridement? |
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Definition
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Term
What two dressings offer no debridement capabilities? (mechanical or autolytic) |
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Definition
calcium alginates and non-impregnated gauze. |
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Term
What dressings are useful for autolytic debridement? |
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Definition
transparent films, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, foam dressings. |
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Term
What dressings are safe for use with an infected wound? |
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Definition
non impregnated gauze (for coverage), hydrogels, calcium alginates, foam dressings (for protection). |
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Term
Can you use a hydrocolloid with a patient who presents with a wound that has a strong odor that doesn't disappear with cleansing? |
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Definition
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