As an RN who works in the community, I provide care to an elderly client recently diagnosed with diabetes. During my last visit, I found a deep wound on his sacral area. The client has wound care supplies in his home from when I treated a previous wound. Do I have the authority to initiate a packing dressing? Show
An RN would have the authority to independently initiate wound care below the dermis (including cleansing, packing and dressing) for this client. Both RNs and RPNs can initiate some care below the dermis; however, there are differences in the number of procedures below the dermis that RNs and RPNs can initiate. Before proceeding, review any relevant practice-setting policies from your employer that support you in performing the procedure. You would need to determine if initiating the procedure is the best course of action for the client. A nurse must:
A nurse must also follow the legislation relevant to her or his practice setting. As a nurse practising in the community, you can initiate according to the Nursing Act, 1991. (Under the Public Hospitals Act, though, a nurse practising in a hospital must have an order to perform wound care.) After treating the wound, you need to put a mechanism in place to manage the outcomes of the treatment. For instance, you could ask the client to phone the nursing agency if he notices a change in his sacrum before your next scheduled visit. You are accountable for the initiation, and for documenting both the initiation and the outcome in the client record. Page last reviewed June 07, 2022Chapter 4. Wound Care Moist to Dry DressingA moist to dry dressing is a primary dressing that directly touches the wound bed, with a secondary dressing that covers the primary dressing. The type of wound dressing used depends not only on the characteristics of the wound but also on the goal of the wound treatment. Important: Ensure pain is well managed prior to a dressing change to maximize patient comfort. Checklist 37 outlines the steps for performing a moist to dry dressing change. Checklist 37: Moist to Dry Dressing Change
Wound Irrigation and PackingWound irrigation and packing refer to the application of fluid to a wound to remove exudate, slough, necrotic debris, bacterial contaminants, and dressing residue without adversely impacting cellular activity vital to the wound healing process (British Columbia Provincial Nursing Skin and Wound Committee, 2014). Any wound that has a cavity, undermining, sinus, or a tract will require irrigation and packing. Open wounds require a specific environment for optimal healing from secondary intention. The purpose of irrigating and packing a wound is to remove debris and exudate from the wound and encourage the growth of granulation tissue to prevent premature closure and abscess formation (Saskatoon Health Region, 2013). Depending on the severity of the wound, it can take weeks to months or years to complete the healing process. Packing should only be done by a trained health care professional and according to agency guidelines. Contraindications to packing a wound include a fistula tract, a wound with an unknown endpoint to tunnelling, a wound sinus tract or tunnel where irrigation solution cannot be retrieved, or a non-healing wound that requires a dry environment (Saskatoon Health Region, 2013). The type of packing for the wound is based on a wound assessment, goal for the wound, and wound care management objectives. The packing material should fill the dead space and conform to the cavity to the base and sides. It is important to not over-pack or under-pack the wound. If the wound is over-packed, there may be excessive pressure placed on the tissue causing pain, impaired blood flow, and, potentially, tissue damage. If the wound is under-packed and the packing material is not touching the base and the sides of the cavity, undermining, sinus tract, or tunnel, there is a risk of the edges rolling and abscess formation (British Columbia Provincial Nursing Skin and Wound Committee, 2014). The types of gauze used to pack a wound may be soaked with normal saline, ointment, or hydrogel, depending on the needs of the wound. Other types of packing material include impregnated gauze, ribbon dressing, hydro-fiber dressing, alginate antimicrobial dressing, and a negative pressure foam or gauze dressing. If using ribbon gauze from a multi-use container, ensure each patient has their own container to avoid cross-contamination (British Columbia Provincial Nursing Skin and Wound Committee, 2014). Additional guidelines to irrigating and packing a wound are listed in Table 4.6. Table 4.6: General Guidelines for Irrigating and Packing a Wound
The health care professional chooses the method of cleansing (a squeezable sterile normal saline container or a 30 to 35 cc syringe with a wound irrigation tip catheter) and the type of wound cleansing solution to be used based on the presence of undermining, sinus tracts or tunnels, necrotic slough, and local wound infection. Agency policy will determine the wound cleansing solution, but sterile normal saline and sterile water are the solutions of choice for cleansing wounds and should be warmed to support wound healing. Undermining, sinuses, and tunnels can only be irrigated when there is a known endpoint. Do not irrigate undermining, sinuses, or tunnels that extend beyond 15 cm unless directed by a physician or nurse practitioner (NP). If fluid is instilled into a sinus, tunnel, or undermined area and cannot be removed from the area, stop irrigating and refer to a wound specialist or physician or NP. Checklist 38 outlines the steps for irrigating and packing a wound. Checklist 38: Wound Irrigation and Packing
Video 4.5Watch the video Wound Irrigation and Packing by Renée Anderson and Wendy McKenzie, Thompson Rivers University. The following links provide additional information about wound packing and wound measuring. Read this Procedure: Wound Packing PDF to learn more about wound packing procedure. Take this Wound Assessment course to learn more about wound measuring and assessment.
Which approach is the most appropriate way to cleanse the wound and surrounding area for a sterile dry dressing change?The irrigation solution is meant to remove cellular debris and surface pathogens contained in wound exudates or residue from topically applied wound care products. Compared to swabbing or bathing, wound irrigation is considered to be the most consistently effective method of wound cleansing.
Which of the following should the nurse recommend the client to increase in their diet during lactation?Opt for protein-rich foods, such as lean meat, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils and seafood low in mercury. Choose a variety of whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables. Eating a variety of foods while breastfeeding will change the flavor of your breast milk.
Which client should the postpartum nurse assess first after receiving the morning shift report?Which client should the postpartum nurse assess first after receiving the a.m. shift report? 1. The client who is complaining of perineal pain when urinating.
Which is a characteristic of person centered care?Person-centered care (PCC) has traditionally been equated with patient-centered care. The Institute of Medicine describes patient-centered care as including qualities of compassion, empathy, respect and responsiveness to the needs, values, and expressed desires of each individual patient.
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