Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

In enzymatic debridement, what is the role of WBCs in wound fluid?

1. To cause further inflammation

2. To promote healing by digesting necrotic tissue

3. To cause pain

4. To bond with dressing materials

The correct answer is: To promote healing by digesting necrotic tissue

Enzymatic debridement involves the use of specific enzymes to facilitate the removal of necrotic tissue from wounds. White blood cells (WBCs), present in wound fluid, play a crucial role in this process by actively contributing to the digestion of dead or devitalized tissue. They release substances that help break down the necrotic material, thus promoting an environment conducive to healing. In the context of wound healing, WBCs are essential in the inflammatory response, serving to clear debris and pathogens from the wound site. Their activity aids in transitioning the wound into the proliferation phase, where new tissue is formed. By promoting the breakdown of necrotic tissue, WBCs help reduce bioburden and prepare the wound bed for the healing processes. Other roles such as causing further inflammation or pain are secondary effects and not the primary function of WBCs in enzymatic debridement. The bonding with dressing materials is also unrelated to the enzymatic action of WBCs and doesn’t play a role in the debridement process. Thus, the focus on their function in digesting necrotic tissue aligns with their important contribution to wound healing and the overall process of enzymatic debridement.