Debridement

Question 1

Selective debridement

Answer 1

• removal of only nonviable tissues from a wound

- selective debridement, enzymatic debridement, and autolytic debridement

Question 2

non selective debridement

Answer 2

• involves the removal of both viable and nonviable tissues from a wound
• wet to dry dressings, wound irrigation, and hydrotherapy whirlpool

Question 3

sharp debridement

Answer 3

• use of scalpel, scissors, and forceps to selectively remove devitalized tissue, foreign material, or debris from a wound
• used with large amount of thick, adherent, necrotic tissue
• may be used in presence of cellulitis or sepsis

Question 4

enzymatic debridement

Answer 4

• topical application of an enzymatic preparation to necrotic tissue
• can be used on infected and non-infected wounds with necrotic tissue

Question 5

autolytic debridement

Answer 5

• use of the body’s own mechanisms to remove nonviable tissue
• transparent films, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, and alginates
• can be used with any amount of necrotic tissue, requires longer healing period and should not be performed on on infected wounds

Question 6

wet to dry dressing

Answer 6

• application of a moistened gauze dressing over an area of necrotic tissue
• dressing is allowed to dry completely and is later removed, along with any necrotic tissue that has adhered to the gauze
• used to debride wounds with moderate amounts of exudate and necrotic tissue

Question 7

wound irrigation

Answer 7

• removes necrotic tissue from the wound bed using pressurized fluid
• most desirable for wounds that are infected or have loose debris

Question 8

hydrotherapy

Answer 8

• using a whirlpool tank with agitation directed toward wound requiring debridement
• side effects include maceration of viable tissue, edema from dependent lower extremity positioning and systemic effects such as hypotension