GMCH - 2015
Medical & Surgical Nursing
Medium
The dressing material product that is NOT recommended for use in infected wounds is
Appeared in: GMCH - 2015
Explanation
- Hydrocolloid dressings are occlusive or semi-occlusive, creating a sealed, low-oxygen environment over the wound.
- This occlusive nature is contraindicated for infected wounds as it traps bacteria and purulent exudate (pus).
- Trapping bacteria, particularly anaerobic organisms, can lead to the proliferation of infection and delay healing.
- The dressing also prevents regular visual assessment of the wound bed for signs of worsening infection.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Alginate dressings are highly absorbent and are actually recommended for infected wounds with moderate to heavy drainage.
- Option B: While primarily used for clean wounds, collagen dressings can be used in infected wounds if the infection is being actively managed, often in combination with antimicrobial agents.
- Option D: Hydrogel dressings are often used in infected wounds, especially if there is necrotic tissue that needs to be softened and debrided (autolytic debridement).
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Wound Care and Dressing Selection as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Selecting the wrong dressing for an infected wound can lead to severe complications, including abscess formation, sepsis, and delayed wound healing, underscoring a critical patient-safety responsibility for nurses.
- Nurses must be able to assess a wound for signs of infection (e.g., increased pain, purulent drainage, erythema, warmth, odor) at every dressing change to ensure the appropriate dressing is in use.
- What if the wound was a clean, Stage 2 pressure injury with minimal exudate? In that case, a Hydrocolloid dressing would be an excellent choice to provide a moist healing environment and protect the wound from friction.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'NOT recommended for use in infected wounds'. This indicates you are looking for a contraindication.
- Next, consider the pathophysiology of an infected wound: it often produces exudate (pus), contains bacteria, and needs to be monitored.
- Evaluate each dressing type based on its properties in relation to an infected wound.
- Recall that Alginates absorb heavy exudate, making them suitable.
- Recall that Hydrogels donate moisture and help debride, which can be useful.
- Recall that Hydrocolloids are occlusive (they seal the wound). Sealing an infected wound traps bacteria and pus, making the infection worse. This makes it the contraindicated option.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Wound Care and Dressing Selection
- Stem keywords: dressing material, infected wounds
- Lead-in keywords: NOT recommended
- Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the dressing that is NOT recommended, requiring you to identify the contraindicated option.
Question ID
Q--aeHSyD8sWHENe2Kf-4f
Reference Book
E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 6 pp. 95-97, 97-99
Practise the full GMCH - 2015
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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