Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What is a common goal in debridement therapies?

1. To remove healthy tissue

2. To promote recreation of scar tissue

3. To eliminate necrotic tissue

4. To allow for more dressing changes

The correct answer is: To eliminate necrotic tissue

A primary objective of debridement therapies is to eliminate necrotic tissue from a wound. Necrotic tissue, or dead tissue, can impede the healing process by providing a medium for infection, preventing the formation of new healthy tissue, and hindering the effectiveness of topical treatments. By removing this tissue, debridement fosters a conducive environment for healing, allowing granulation tissue to form and enhancing the overall healing trajectory of the wound. The other options do not accurately reflect the aims of debridement. The inappropriate removal of healthy tissue is counterproductive and detrimental to the healing process. While scar tissue formation is a natural part of healing following successful tissue regeneration, it is not a direct goal of debridement itself. Additionally, reducing the frequency of dressing changes is not a direct intention of debridement therapies; rather, it is a potential secondary outcome once the wound is appropriately managed and healing is positively supported.