Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What is necessary for effective autolytic debridement to occur?

1. Application of scour pads

2. Use of moisture-retentive dressings

3. Ongoing assessment for infection

4. Immediate surgical intervention

The correct answer is: Use of moisture-retentive dressings

Effective autolytic debridement relies on maintaining a moist wound environment to facilitate the body’s natural processes for removing necrotic tissue. Moisture-retentive dressings create this optimal environment by keeping the wound hydrated, which promotes the breakdown of dead tissue through the action of the body’s own enzymes and moisture. As a result, the healing process is enhanced, allowing for more efficient and comfortable debridement without the need for invasive procedures. While other options may play roles in wound care, they are not essential for the autolytic debridement process. Scour pads are typically used for mechanical debridement rather than promoting the body's natural healing mechanisms. Ongoing assessment for infection is critical in wound management but is more about monitoring and ensuring healing than about facilitating autolytic processes. Immediate surgical intervention is more appropriate for cases of extensive necrosis or infection, rather than for promoting autolytic debridement, which relies on the body’s natural healing capabilities.