The nurse is preparing for a wet-to-dry dressing change for a patient with a diabetic foot ulcer. What is the benefit of a wet-to-dry dressing for this patient?
Explanation
• Wet-to-dry dressings aid in debridement of exudate and necrotic tissue. They also promote wound healing by secondary intention
• Primary intention involves the closure of the wound to promote healing. This is done with staples, sutures, or glue. Healing is from the outside-in
• Secondary intention means the wound heals from the inside-out
• Tertiary intention is when the wound is cleaned and left open for several days for observation
• Hydrocolloid dressings minimize discomfort and prevent contamination of microbes