integ practical 2 - dressings

primary dressings

direct contact with the wound bed

secondary dressings

placed over the primary dressing

textiles

fabrics that wick away moisture and prevent friction/shear used for skin folds, MASD, and skin protection

nonadherent contact layer

primary dressing used to protect fragile granulation tissue, skin tears, and grafts to reduce trauma; does not provide absorption

when to avoid using nonadherent contact layer

heavy drainage or dry eschar

secondary dressing when using nonadherent contact layer

requires absorbent secondary dressing if drainage

gauze

temporary/short term coverage or packing that also has some absorption; used for direct contact for acute wounds or for loosely filling undermined/tunneled wounds

transparent film

semipermeable barrier that is waterproof to provide moisture retention and wound visualization

when to use transparent film

used for superficial wounds with minimal to no exudate to protect from friction

when to avoid transparent film

wounds with moderate to heavy exudate

hydrogel

primary dressing that adds moisture to dry wounds to soften slough and promote autolysis

when to use hydrogel

use for dry, painful, necrotic wounds

when to avoid hydrogel

heavy drainage or stable heel eschar

hydrocolloid

primary dressing for moisture retention to support autolytic debridement

when to use hydrocolloid

used in shallow/granulating wounds with low to moderate exudate

when to avoid hydrocolloid

infection or heavy drainage

foam

absorbs exudate and cushions granulation/periwound to act as protection

when to use foam

used for mod drainage wound, pressure wound, or skin tear

when to avoid using foam, alginate, or hydrofiber

dry wounds

calcium alginate

primary dressing that forms a gel to absorb moderate to heavy exudate

when to use calcium alginate

use for tunneling or bleeding wounds with heavy drainage

secondary dressing for calcium alginate

requires absorbent cover

hydrofiber

primary dressing that absorbs moderate to heavy exudate and forms a cohesive gel

when to use hydrofiber

used for granulating wounds with mod to heavy exudate

antimicrobials

used to reduce bioburden/infection risk; can be silver, iodine, hydrofera blue, or honey

collagen

primary dressing that supports stalled chronic wounds after the underlying barrier is addressed by jump starting healing process

skin protectant

barrier used to protect skin or lock in moisture

cleanser

used to remove debris, exudate, bacteria, or contaminants to preserve healthy tissue (avoid cytotoxic)

what is this dressing and what is it used for?

thin film ; used for moisture retention, wound visualization, and protection from friction in wounds with minimal drainage

what is this dressing and what is it used for?

hydrogel ; adds moisture to dry wounds

what is this dressing and what is it used for?

collagen ; jump starts healing in chronic stalled wounds

what is this dressing and what is it used for?

foam ; absorbs exudate and cushions granulation

what is this dressing and what is it used for?

hydrofiber ; absorbs moderate to heavy exudate

what is this dressing and what is it used for?

cleanser ; cleans debris, exudate, bacteria, and contaminants

what is this dressing and what is it used for?

hydrocolloid ; autolytic debridement and moisture retention in wounds with low to moderate exudate

what is this dressing and what is it used for?

skin protectant ; acts as barrier to protect skin and lock in moisture

what is this dressing and what is it used for?

alginate ; absorbs moderate to heavy exudate

what is this dressing and what is it used for?

contact layer ; protects fragile wounds, skin tears, and grafts