CNOR - Certification Wound Management and Tissue Handling Flashcards

Which factor most significantly increases a patient's risk of surgical site infection (SSI)?

Answer: Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus with elevated blood glucose

Hyperglycemia impairs neutrophil function and tissue perfusion, significantly increasing susceptibility to SSI.

The scrub person should handle tissue on the sterile field by:

Answer: Using the least traumatic technique, handling tissue as gently as possible

Gentle tissue handling minimizes trauma, preserves viability, and reduces the risk of postoperative complications including infection and dehiscence.

When is prophylactic antibiotic administration most effective for SSI prevention?

Answer: Within 60 minutes before skin incision (or within 120 minutes for vancomycin)

Administering prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes before incision (120 minutes for vancomycin/fluoroquinolones) ensures adequate tissue levels at the time of potential contamination.

Primary intention wound healing occurs when:

Answer: Wound edges are approximated and secured with sutures, staples, or tissue adhesive

Primary intention (primary closure) involves directly approximating clean wound edges, resulting in minimal scarring and faster healing.

Wound dehiscence is defined as:

Answer: Separation of previously approximated wound layers

Dehiscence is the partial or complete separation of the layers of a surgical wound that were previously closed.

Evisceration differs from dehiscence in that evisceration involves:

Answer: Protrusion of abdominal organs through the open wound

Evisceration is a serious complication in which internal organs (typically intestines) protrude through a dehisced abdominal wound.