Wound Management

Running head: WOUND MANAGEMENT
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Wound Management
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Case study 1:
1. Appropriate pain assessment tool.
Burn injuries are often coupled with large amount of pain and discomfort due to loss or damage
of skin, with oedema on a larger scale. A detailed pain management assessment can be
completed on arrival of the patient and then continued within an interval of 1 to 4 hours, through
the course of admission. The re-evaluation of the pain during the outpatient visit and even after
discharge is often carried out. In case of Carol, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) can be used as pain
management tool. VAS, is generally used as outcome for measurement and represented on 100-
mm horizontal line on which Carol’s intensity of pain is represented between two extremities
such as no pain or worst pain.
2. Importance of reduce pain levels in wound patients
The effect created by pain cannot be underestimated. As per Burkhardt et al. (2015), increase in
level of pain can lead to stress. The increasing levels of stress can create psychological trauma on
the patient slowing down the process of healing. A new evidence bases study by Dreifke et al.
(2015), found that cells are often seen to respond differently to pain. however, pain may often
have different use. As observed by Dreifke et al. (2015), reducing the pain sends immune signal
to the body to facilitate the healing capabilities. In similar regards, it can be taken into
consideration effect of stress and pain of wound makes it important for healthcare professionals
to reduce pain during the course of treatment
3. How the skin heals with the assistance of a skin graft
Skin graft is often a requirement of treating burnt skin quickly and without minimum scars. In
order to heal the skin through the use of skin graft the graft is not kept is immobilised for 5 days.

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during the course of immobilization, the blood vessels grow and there is a connection established
between the grafted and burnt skin. 5 days after the surgery, the therapy programs are initiated to
maintain flexibility of the area.
3. Problems while assessing wounds
Failure to assess the level of sensation within the burnt area if any
Reduced mobility as burn was caused on her leg

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Case study 2:
Q1a) Suitable dressing for pressure ulcer
Antibiotic treatment or anti-microbial dressing may be needed in the mentioned case. In case of
John, the pressure ulcer is at high risk of becoming infected. Thus, the use of antimicrobial silver
foam dressing can be termed useful. On the other hand, a combination of foam dressing with
silver alginate can be used for treating the pressure ulcers in John.
Q1b)
A moist wound healing environment is important as contrary to the age old tradition of keeping
the wound dry and formation of scab. The maintenance of moist environment can make the body
focus on the pressure ulcer, rather than simply protecting it and facilitating faster healing of the
wounds. Additionally, in order to break down the scabs, energy is required that could not have
been achieved for timely healing of wounds.
Q1c) John required a primary or secondary dressing, or both
John required both primary and secondary dressing. The primary dressing is used to manage
oozing of fluids and is placed on the wound directly. The primary dressing can be used for
healing the wound while the secondary dressing can be used for holding the primary dressing in
place.
Q2) Risk assessment with tools
The risk for John can be termed as pressure ulcers progressing toward infection pressure ulcer
can lead to formation of sepsis additional risks associated with pressure ulcer include