Wound Care Management Flashcards

Enzymatic debridement agents such as collagenase work by:

Answer: Digesting collagen fibers anchoring necrotic tissue to the wound bed

Collagenase enzymatically cleaves the collagen strands that anchor devitalized tissue to the wound bed, selectively dissolving the necrotic material.

When applying a silver-containing dressing to a wound, the nurse should be aware that:

Answer: Silver should be discontinued once signs of infection resolve to prevent resistance or toxicity

Silver dressings should be used for a defined treatment course (typically 2–4 weeks) and discontinued when infection signs resolve to avoid silver toxicity and unnecessary cost.

The primary goal of compression therapy for venous leg ulcers is to:

Answer: Counteract venous hypertension and promote venous return

Compression therapy applies sustained external pressure to overcome venous hypertension, improving venous return and reducing edema that impairs healing.

A foam dressing is most appropriate for a wound with:

Answer: Moderate to heavy exudate and a granulating wound bed

Foam dressings have high absorptive capacity and are ideal for wounds producing moderate to heavy exudate while maintaining a moist healing environment.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for wound healing works by:

Answer: Increasing dissolved oxygen in plasma to hypoxic tissues and stimulating angiogenesis

HBOT raises dissolved plasma oxygen levels, delivering oxygen to ischemic tissues and stimulating angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, and antimicrobial leukocyte activity.

Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is most beneficial for wounds containing:

Answer: Soft, moist, necrotic slough with suspected biofilm

Medical-grade maggots debride soft necrotic tissue and slough while secreting antimicrobial compounds that disrupt bacterial biofilm.