CHT Wound Care & Edema Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of edema management during the acute phase following hand injury?
- Prevent wound infection
- Reduce swelling to prevent fibrosis and joint stiffness (Correct answer)
- Promote scar formation
- Increase arterial blood flow to the area
Correct answer: Reduce swelling to prevent fibrosis and joint stiffness
Reducing swelling in the acute phase prevents fibrosis and joint stiffness that can lead to long-term functional impairment.
Question 2: Which measurement technique is considered the gold standard for quantifying overall hand and wrist edema volume?
- Circumferential tape measure
- Figure-8 tape method
- Volumetric water displacement (Correct answer)
- Digital caliper measurement
Correct answer: Volumetric water displacement
Volumetric water displacement provides the most accurate three-dimensional measurement of limb volume and is considered the gold standard for edema assessment.
Question 3: When performing retrograde massage for edema reduction, in which direction should strokes be applied?
- Distal to proximal (Correct answer)
- Proximal to distal
- Circular in alternating directions
- Perpendicular to the long axis of the digit
Correct answer: Distal to proximal
Retrograde massage uses distal-to-proximal strokes to mechanically move interstitial fluid toward the lymphatic drainage system, reducing peripheral edema.
Question 4: String wrapping (Coban self-adherent wrap) for digit edema should begin at the:
- Proximal phalanx, wrapping distally
- Fingertip, wrapping proximally (Correct answer)
- Middle phalanx, wrapping distally
- MCP joint, wrapping distally
Correct answer: Fingertip, wrapping proximally
Coban wrapping begins at the fingertip and progresses proximally to push fluid out of the digit toward the lymphatic system.
Question 5: Which clinical sign most strongly suggests wound infection requiring medical referral?
- Mild pink periwound skin
- Serous wound exudate
- Increasing warmth, spreading erythema, and purulent drainage (Correct answer)
- Minimal wound edge approximation
Correct answer: Increasing warmth, spreading erythema, and purulent drainage
The combination of increasing warmth, spreading erythema, and purulent drainage are classic signs of wound infection that require prompt medical attention.
Question 6: Elevation of the hand post-surgically is most effective when the hand is positioned at which level?
- At heart level
- Below heart level
- Above heart level (Correct answer)
- At shoulder level only
Correct answer: Above heart level
Elevating the hand above heart level uses gravity to promote venous and lymphatic drainage, most effectively reducing post-surgical edema.
Question 7: Which type of wound dressing is most appropriate for a clean, moist, granulating wound with minimal exudate?
- Dry gauze
- Hydrocolloid (Correct answer)
- Calcium alginate
- Wet-to-dry gauze
Correct answer: Hydrocolloid
Hydrocolloid dressings maintain optimal moist wound healing conditions for granulating wounds while protecting fragile new tissue from damage during dressing changes.
CHT Wound Care & Edema Management 1
What is the primary goal of edema management during the acute phase following hand injury?