Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Exam

What type of dressing should be used to cover a sacral pressure ulcer with a wet-to-dry dressing?

1. Plastic sheet-type dressing

2. Dry gauze dressing

3. Moist saline dressing

4. Tightly packed dressing

The correct answer is: Dry gauze dressing

For a sacral pressure ulcer, a dry gauze dressing is appropriate when using a wet-to-dry technique because it allows for the effective removal of necrotic tissue and promotes healing by creating a moist environment. When the saline-moistened gauze dries out, it adheres to the wound bed. Upon removal, this process helps debride the ulcer, which is essential in managing chronic wounds. Using a moist saline dressing can maintain moisture but does not allow for the necessary debridement that a dry dressing setup facilitates. A plastic sheet-type dressing may trap moisture without allowing for drainage, which can lead to maceration, and tightly packed dressings can impede circulation and lead to further tissue damage. Therefore, a dry gauze dressing most appropriately aligns with the principles of wound care relevant to managing pressure ulcers through wet-to-dry dressing techniques.