WOUND
DRESSING
Wound -
Definition
A break in the skin or mucous membrane;
An alteration in the integrity of the skin and
underlying tissues.
Wound -
Causes Causes
1. Surgical incisions
2. Trauma
3. Shearing force
4. Friction
5. Poor circulation
Type of Wounds
Intentional - created for therapy
i.e., surgical or venipuncture
Type of Wounds
Unintentional - resulting from trauma
i.e., caused by accident or fall
Type of Wounds
Open wound - traumatized tissue with skin
break or mucous membrane surface is
broken.
Type of Wounds
Closed wound - traumatized tissue without a
skin break.
Type of
Wounds
Clean wound - not infected, usually
intentional
Contaminated wound - high risk of
infection usually unintentional
Type of Wounds
Infected wound - (dirty wound) contains
bacteria; signs of infection
Type of Wounds
Chronic wound - wound that does not heal
easily; can be due to pressure or circulation
Type of Wounds
Partial-thickness wound - epidermis and
does not extend through dermis
Full-thickness wound - epidermis, dermis,
subcutaneous tissue are involved and may
involve muscle and bone (penetrating)
DESCRIPTION OF WOUNDS
Wounds can be described by cause:
1. Abrasion - scraping or rubbing away of the
skin
2. Contusion - closed wound caused by a blow
to the body
DESCRIPTION OF WOUNDS
Wounds can be described by cause:
3. Incision - open wound with clean straight
edges
4. Laceration – open wound with torn
tissues and jagged edges
Description of
Wounds
5. Penetrating wound – skin and underlying
tissue are pierced
Description of
Wounds
6. Puncture wound - open wound from a
sharp object
TYPES OF WOUND
DRESSING
1. Gauze Dressing
2. Foam Dressing
3. Transparent Film Dressing
4. Hydrocolloid Dressing
5. Hydrogel Dressing
Gauze Dressing
Gauze, or cloth,
dressings are made of
woven cotton fabric in
various sizes and
shapes.
Gauze sponges absorb
excess fluid that
injuries can produce
from damage.
When to use a gauze
wound dressing:
• On an infected wound
• On wounds that require wrapping or
extra packing
• On injuries that require frequent
dressing changes
• Injuries that are draining or will have
excess discharge
Foam Dressing
Foam dressings are soft and
gentle wound dressings
made of polyurethane foam.
This dressing will keep
moisture in the wound area
while protecting the wound
from harmful bacteria.
The foam dressing’s design
will ensure that it will not
stick to the wound area.
When to use a foam
wound dressing:
• Pressure ulcers
• Minor burns
• Skin grafts
• Diabetic ulcers
Transparent Film Dressing
• Transparent film wound
dressings are thin films
composed of polymer
membranes.
• To monitor a wound without
being exposed to the
elements.
When to use a transparent
wound dressing:
• On IV sites
• Lacerations
• Abrasions
• Second-degree
burns
• On a surgical
incision site
Hydrocolloid Dressing
• Absorbent pads that are incredibly flexible.
• When these colloidal particles mix with
moisture, they create a gel-like substance
that sits in the wound area.
• The gel made by hydrocolloid wound
dressings keeps the wound’s surface moist
and promotes faster healing.
When to use a
hydrocolloid wound
dressing:
• On wounds with light to moderate
draining
• Burn wounds
• Necrotic wounds
• Pressure ulcers
• Venous ulcers
Hydrogel Dressing
• Treats wounds that are too
dry or need some extra
help healing.
• Hydrogel acts as a wound
dressing that will
intentionally add moisture
to an injury.
• The healing rate of a
wound is increased when
additional moisture is
introduced.
Cleaning a
Wound
When to use a hydrogel
wound dressing:
• On excessive dry wound areas
• Wounds with dead tissue
• Painful or necrotic wounds
WOUND DRESSING
PROCEDURE
IS A STERILE SURGICAL COVERING,
APPLIED TO A WOUND OR INCISION
WITH ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE, WITH OR
WITHOUT MEDICATION
WOUND DRESSING
PURPOSES
To prevent microorganism invasion.
To decrease the presence of purulent
wound drainage
To absorb fluid.
To assist in removal of necrotic tissues
To apply medication to the wound.
To provide comfort.