Wound Closure and Postoperative Management Flashcards
6 cards from real Certified Surgical Technologist practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Wound Closure and Postoperative Management flashcards as text
Primary intention wound healing is characterized by:
Answer: Approximating wound edges with sutures or staples
Primary intention healing occurs when wound edges are directly approximated (sutured or stapled), resulting in minimal scarring and faster healing.
A Penrose drain operates by which mechanism?
Answer: Passive gravity and capillary action
A Penrose drain is a soft rubber tube that uses passive gravity and capillary action to allow fluid to drain from the wound — no suction device is needed.
A Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain maintains drainage by:
Answer: Negative pressure created by compressing the bulb reservoir
The Jackson-Pratt drain uses a collapsible bulb that creates low-level negative pressure (suction) when compressed and reconnected to the drain tubing.
Wound dehiscence is defined as:
Answer: Separation of the approximated wound edges
Dehiscence refers to the partial or complete separation of wound edges after closure, most commonly seen within the first postoperative week.
Which systemic condition MOST significantly impairs postoperative wound healing?
Answer: Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
Uncontrolled diabetes impairs wound healing through microvascular disease, impaired neutrophil function, and altered collagen synthesis, greatly increasing infection and dehiscence risk.
What type of wound dressing is most appropriate for a clean, sutured surgical wound on postoperative day 1?
Answer: Dry sterile dressing
A dry sterile dressing protects a clean closed surgical wound from contamination during the initial healing phase without introducing moisture that could macerate tissue.