Wound Care Certification Practice Flashcards

Retention sutures: how long do they stay in place?

Answer: 14 days or more

Retention sutures are deep sutures used to provide additional strength and support to a wound closure, especially in areas of high tension or in patients with compromised healing. Due to their supportive role in the deeper layers, they are typically left in place for an extended period, often 14 days or more, to ensure adequate wound integrity during the critical healing phases.

Hemostasis is the process of stopping bleeding and making blood clots. What is in the blood clot that helps keep the wound together?

Answer: Fibrin

Hemostasis is the initial phase of wound healing where bleeding is stopped and a blood clot forms. Fibrin, a protein, polymerizes to form a mesh-like network within the clot, trapping red blood cells and platelets. This fibrin mesh acts as a natural glue, holding the wound edges together and providing a temporary scaffold for subsequent healing processes.

Blood stops bleeding during hemostasis. A cut made by a sharp instrument during surgery that gives access to an organ or space in the body.

Answer: Incision

An incision is a precise, clean cut made into tissue or an organ using a sharp instrument, typically a scalpel, during a surgical procedure. Its purpose is to create an opening to access underlying structures or remove tissue, distinguishing it from other types of wounds like punctures (stab wounds) or abrasions (scrapes).

What Is a Keloid?

Answer: Overgrowth of a collagenous scar tissue at the site of the wound.

A keloid is an abnormal, raised scar that develops at the site of a skin injury, but it extends beyond the original boundaries of the wound. It results from an overproduction of collagen during the healing process, leading to a firm, rubbery, and often itchy or painful growth that is distinct from a hypertrophic scar which stays within the wound margins.

What is used to make the skin tacky and secure a steri-strip?

Answer: Tincture of benzoin

Tincture of benzoin is a topical adhesive used to prepare the skin for better adherence of dressings like steri-strips. It creates a tacky, protective layer on the skin, which helps the adhesive strips stick more securely and for a longer duration, especially in areas prone to moisture or movement.

When a patient has steri-strips, what is the best way to clean their bodies?

Answer: Instruct a patient to take a shower

When a patient has steri-strips, taking a shower is generally the best way to clean their body. A shower allows for gentle cleansing without prolonged soaking, which could loosen the adhesive and cause the strips to detach prematurely. Soaking in a bathtub should be avoided to preserve the integrity of the steri-strips.

What is the main function of wet-to-dry dressings?

Answer: To mechanically debride a wound

Wet-to-dry dressings are primarily used for mechanical debridement of wounds. A moist dressing is applied to the wound bed and allowed to dry, adhering to necrotic tissue and debris. When the dried dressing is removed, it physically pulls away the dead tissue, helping to clean the wound and promote healing.

After surgery or injury, what is a collection of extravasated blood stuck in tissues or organs?

Answer: Hematoma

A hematoma is a localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, typically clotted, within tissues or organs, often resulting from trauma or surgery. It forms when blood escapes from damaged vessels and accumulates, appearing as a bruise or swelling, and is distinct from conditions like cellulitis or evisceration.

What do you call a strip or roll of cloth or other material that can be wrapped around a body part in different ways for different purposes?

Answer: Bandage

A bandage is a strip or roll of cloth or other material that can be wrapped around a body part for various purposes. Its main functions include covering and protecting a wound, securing a dressing, providing support to an injured limb, or applying compression to control swelling or bleeding.

Where do you tie the square knot when using a triangle-shaped blinder (Sling)?

Answer: at the lateral area of neck on uninjured side

When applying a triangular sling, the square knot should be tied at the lateral aspect of the neck on the uninjured side. This placement ensures that the knot does not press against the cervical spine or the injured area, maximizing patient comfort and preventing further irritation or pressure on sensitive tissues.

Dressing choices will be made based on agency policy and traditional plans for universal care.

Answer: FALSE

Dressing choices should be based on a thorough assessment of the individual wound, the patient's overall health, and evidence-based practice guidelines, rather than solely on agency policy or traditional plans. Tailoring the dressing to the specific wound characteristics and healing goals is crucial for optimal outcomes and effective wound management.

What is the flow or escape of blood, serum, or lymph into the tissues?

Answer: Extravasation

Extravasation refers to the leakage or escape of fluid, such as blood, serum, or lymph, from its normal vessel into the surrounding tissues. This can occur due to vessel damage, increased vascular permeability, or improper administration of intravenous fluids, leading to swelling, discoloration, and potential tissue damage.

A bandage consisting with big pieces of material to fit a specific body part, typically made of elastic, cotton, muslin, or flannel.

Answer: Binder

A binder is a large piece of material, often made of elastic, cotton, muslin, or flannel, designed to fit and wrap around a specific body part like the abdomen or chest. Its purpose is to provide support, apply compression, or hold dressings securely in place, distinguishing it from smaller bandages or gauze.

What is full-thickness skin loss with subcutaneous tissue injury or necrosis?

Answer: Stage III

A Stage III pressure injury is characterized by full-thickness skin loss, meaning the damage extends through the epidermis and dermis. Subcutaneous fat may be visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle are not exposed. This stage often includes undermining and tunneling, indicating significant tissue destruction.

From day 3 or 4 to day 21, when the injury happens, this phase of healing gets longer. The area has more collagen. Capillaries run across the wound.

Answer: Proliferative phase

The proliferative phase of wound healing typically occurs from day 3-4 to day 21 post-injury. During this phase, fibroblasts produce collagen, and new capillaries form (angiogenesis), leading to the development of granulation tissue that fills the wound bed. This stage is crucial for rebuilding tissue and closing the wound.

During a dressing, forgetting to count the packing pieces raises the chance of _______.

Answer: A piece of material being left behind

Forgetting to count packing pieces during a dressing change significantly increases the risk of leaving material behind in the wound. Retained foreign bodies can lead to serious complications such as infection, abscess formation, delayed healing, and even necessitate further surgical intervention. Therefore, meticulous counting is a critical safety measure.