Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What should be done when the NPWT canister is full?

1. Replace with a larger canister

2. Change the dressing immediately

3. Change the canister

4. Keep it as is until the next scheduled change

The correct answer is: Change the canister

When the NPWT (Negative Pressure Wound Therapy) canister is full, the appropriate action is to change the canister. This is crucial because a full canister can lead to decreased therapy effectiveness and potentially increase the risk of complications such as infection or tissue ischemia. Continuing to use a full canister could obstruct the negative pressure flow required to promote wound healing, as it may not effectively collect further exudate. Maintaining the negative pressure environment is vital for continued treatment success. Changing the canister ensures that the system can efficiently remove excess fluid and maintain the therapeutic conditions necessary for optimal wound healing. Although other actions related to wound care may seem relevant, such as changing the dressing or considering a larger canister, these do not address the immediate need for fluid management which a full canister represents. Therefore, promptly changing the canister is the most effective and appropriate response.