Reading and Discussion: 4/8/2014_HTR

Describing wounds

In pairs, look at the pictures of wounds and discuss the following questions>

1. How would you describe the wounds?

2. How would you manage them?

Match the medical terms (1-8) to their meanings (a-h)

1. necrosis a. thick, dry, black necrotic tissue

2. eschar b. drying out
3. desiccation c. inflammation of the tissue under the skin, often caused by infection
4. inflammation d. a small piece of material which is used to take samples of body fluids
5. swab e. dead tissue which separated from healthy tissue after infection
6. slough f. the removal of dead tissue
7. debridement g. swelling caused by infection
8. cellulitis h. dead of cells and living tissue

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Reading carefully and discuss it: (make 5 questions from this reading material)

Wound Dressings in Diabetic Foot Disease

Wound dressings represent a part of the management of diabetic foot ulceration. Ideally, dressings
should alleviate symptoms, provide wound protection, and encourage healing. No single dressing fulfills
all the requirements of a diabetic patient with an infected foot ulcer. However, each category of
dressings has particular characteristics that aid selection. Nonadhesive dressings are simple,
inexpensive, and well tolerated. Foam and alginate dressings are highly absorbent and effective for
heavily exuding wounds. Hydrogels facilitate autolysis and may be beneficial in managing ulcers
containing necrotic tissue. Dressings containing iodine and silver may aid in managing wound infection.
Occlusive dressings should be avoided for infected wounds. All dressings require frequent change for
wound inspection. Heavily exudating ulcers require frequent change to reduce maceration of
surrounding skin. Dressing choice should be guided by the characteristics of the ulcer, the requirements
of the patient, and costs.

In choosing a dressing for an infected diabetic foot ulcer, several factors have to be taken into account.
Infected wounds tend to have a heavy exudate that needs to be controlled to prevent maceration of
surrounding tissue. There may be considerable odor associated with infection that may be unpleasant
and distressing for the patient and family. A dressing must be comfortable and acceptable for the
patient and should help alleviate or, at the very least, not worsen pain, especially at dressing changes.
Ideally, the dressing should also aid in the management of the infection itself.

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List of questions:

1.__________________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________________________________

Match the medical terms (1-12) to their meanings (a-l)

1. granulated a) with yellowish fluid or blood serum

2. sloughy b) adding moisture to something
3. macerated c) A dressing which does not stick to the wound
4. inflamed d) Contains dead tissue which fall off a wound during an infection
5. serous e) The dressing is sealed and cannot be lifted off for viewing
6. haemoserous f) Full of pus, a yellow or green discharge found in an infected wound
7. purulent g) Containing connective tissue found in healing wounds
8. odour h) Something which treats infective microorganisms
9. non-adhesive dressing (NAD) i) Softened because of excess moisture
10. antimicrobial j) Yellowish fluid tinged with red blood cells
11. hydrating k) Red and swollen because of infection
12. Intact wound l) Smell (usually unpleasant)

Wound Assessment Chart

Date 4/7/2014
Name Gary Stephens
Wound site L calf
Wound description granulated sloughy necrotic infected
Frequency of bd tds daily 3rd daily
dressing
antibiotics no yes oral IV
Surrounding skin healthy dry macerated inflamed
exudate nil Small amt moderate heavy
Exudate-type N/A serous haemoserous purulent
Odour present yes no

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 Debridement nil surgical Mechanical chemical
(wet to dry
dressing)
Dressing products Non-adhesive dressing (NAD) antimicrobial hydrating
Wound closure Sutures clips open wound
comments For review by Vascular Team on Mon
Wound intact- next dressing in two days

Find abbreviations in the wound Assessment Chart with the following meanings:
1. not applicable
2. three times a day
3. twice a day
4. left
5. intravenous
6. amount