1. Soft Tissue Injuries & Care
Wounds, open and closed and the appropriate dressing
© 2018 Cogent Steps, LLC

2. Types of Wounds Closed Open Contusions Internal lacerations
Ruptured organs and tissues
Referral pain patterns
Rebound tenderness
Shock
Open
Abrasion
Avulsion
Amputation
Laceration
Puncture
Burn
Blister
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3. Treatment Minor Major Stop bleeding with pressure Clean, debride Dress
Blisters…to pop or not?
Major
Pressure and add dressings
Pack around an impaled object
Amputation: place part in bag, then in cold slurry water
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4. Types of Dressings Gauze
Serves as bandages, dressings or sponges. Can stick to wounds when removed.
Tulie or impregnated gauze
Greasy gauze impregnated with petroleum jelly. Does not stick. Works well for flat or shallow wounds
Semi permeable films
Polyurethane membrane and acrylic adhesive. Transparency allows for wound visualization. Works well for shallow and low exudate wounds
Amorphous hydrogels
Used for necrotic or sloughy wound beds to rehydrate and remove dead tissue.
Hydrocolloids
Semi permeable polyurethane film in the form of a solid. Swells with exudate and forms gel. Light to heavy exudate
Alginates
Calcium alginate with absorbent fibers. Good for debridement, and heavy exudate wounds. Can cause dryness. Changed daily
Collagens
Pads, gels or particles promote newly formed collagen, keep environment moist
Hydrofibers
Soft pads or ribbon dressing made from sodium carboxymethyl cellulose fibers used to absorb exudate and moist environment for packing of deep wounds.
© 2018 Cogent Steps, LLC