This lesson will teach the learner about the following topics pertaining to the principles of wound management:

• Preventing complications of wound healing (e.g., infection, maceration, inappropriate product use)
• Recommending appropriate pain management modalities
• Recommending appropriate wound cleansing regimen
• Identifying the need for wound culture (e.g., delayed wound healing, signs and symptoms of infection)
• Differentiating the most appropriate method for wound culture (e.g., aspirate, Levine, punch biopsy)
• Identifying indications and contraindications for debridement
• Recommending the type of debridement (e.g., autolytic, chemical, mechanical, surgical, conservative sharp)
• Identifying wounds that require chemical cauterization
• Identifying the need for advanced modalities for wound cleansing and debridement (e.g., pulsed lavage, mist therapy, maggot therapy)
• Recommending appropriate topical treatment to maintain periwound integrity
• Recommending and applying dressings for moist wound healing (e.g., containment of drainage, eliminate dead space, reduce bioburden, control odor, debridement)
• Identifying wounds appropriate for advanced wound therapy (e.g., leech therapy, bioengineered tissue, negative pressure wound therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy)
• Educating patients and caregivers regarding wound healing (e.g., infection, tobacco cessation, nutrition, optimal health choices, causative factors)
• Facilitating appropriate interdisciplinary consultations (e.g., surgical, pain clinic, orthotics, nutrition, social services, pastoral care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, mental health professional)