Answer to Question 1
ANS: 4
A dressing should support a moist wound environment if the wound is healing by secondary in-tention, such as with a large abdominal wound. A moist wound base facilitates the movement of epithelialization, thus allowing the wound to resurface as quickly as possible. Only mild soap may be used or saline. Antiseptics may be damaging to granulation tissue. A heat lamp should not be used because it will dry out the wound and impair the movement of epithelialization. Clean dressings may be used in the home setting.
Answer to Question 2
ANS: 2
Removal of necrotic tissue is necessary to rid the ulcer of a source of infection, to enable visuali-zation of the wound bed, and to provide a clean base necessary for healthy tissue to regenerate. Autolytic debridement uses synthetic dressings over a wound to allow the eschar to be self-digested by the action of enzymes that are present in wound fluids. The wound is not irri-gated. Mechanical methods include wet-to-dry dressings, wound irrigation, and whirlpool treat-ments. Surgical debridement involves direct surgical removal of the eschar layer of the wound. Enzymatic debridement requires a health care provider's order.