A physical therapist applies a dressing to an area of skin on a patient’s heel. The therapist decided to use the dressing as a prophylactic measure to reduce the risk of skin breakdown in an area that was determined to be particularly susceptible. Which of the following dressings would the therapist have MOST likely used?

1. Calcium alginate
2. Hydrocolloid
3. Hydrogel
4. Transparent film

Welcome back to the Scorebuilders’ Question and Answer Podcast! This podcast provides members of the Scorebuilders’ team with the opportunity to explore challenging multiple-choice examination questions with students actively preparing for the licensing examination. My name is Scott Giles and I will be your host for today’s journey.

Ready? Let’s go!

A physical therapist applies a dressing to an area of skin on a patient’s heel. The therapist decided to use the dressing as a prophylactic measure to reduce the risk of skin breakdown in an area that was determined to be particularly susceptible. Which of the following dressings would the therapist have MOST likely used?

1. Calcium alginate
2. Hydrocolloid
3. Hydrogel
4. Transparent film

A physical therapist selects a particular wound dressing based on the established therapeutic objectives. Possible indications for utilizing a dressing include protecting the wound, managing exudate, preventing infection, reducing pain, and promoting healing.

In this particular case, the therapist is applying the dressing prophylactically to reduce the risk of skin breakdown on a patient’s heel. The question is specifically asking which dressing would be the most appropriate.

Let’s explore each of the options:

Option 1 - Calcium alginate
A calcium alginate dressing is highly absorptive and typically utilized with wounds that produce moderate to heavy exudate.

A wound producing minimal exudate is unlikely to saturate the alginate to the extent necessary for it to form a beneficial hydrophilic gel.

The question does not offer any evidence of moderate to heavy exudate and instead indicates that the dressing was being used prophylactically.

Option 2 - Hydrocolloid
Hydrocolloid dressings consist of gel-forming polymers (e.g., carboxymethylcellulose, gelatin, pectin) backed by a strong film or foam adhesive. The dressings absorb exudate by swelling into a gel-like mass and vary in permeability, thickness, and transparency.

A hydrocolloid dressing is not used for a superficial wound. However, it is often used on partial and full-thickness wounds.

The description of the wound in the question does not indicate the presence of exudate.

Option 3 - Hydrogel
Hydrogel dressings are moisture-retentive primary dressings that provide a moist environment for wound healing.

A hydrogel dressing is not typically used as a prophylactic measure and is instead used to prevent a wound from dehydrating and impeding the healing process.

Option 4 - Transparent film
Transparent film dressings consist of thin membranes coated with a layer of acrylic adhesive. Since the film is transparent it allows for frequent assessment of the wound and offers some level of protection.

These types of dressings are oxygen permeable, however, are impermeable to microorganisms and moisture….Sounds like a winner!

The correct answer is Option 4

Let’s explore the all student data:
12% of students selected Option 1, Calcium alginate
21% of students selected Option 2, Hydrocolloid
23% of students selected Option 3, Hydrogel
34% of students selected Option 4, Transparent film, the correct response

System Classification
This question is an Other Systems question which represents approximately 21% of all exam items.

Content Outline Classification
This question is an Interventions question which represents approximately 29% of all exam items.

Level Classification
This question is a Level 2 question since the question requires students to integrate numerous pieces of information or to apply knowledge in a given clinical scenario. Remediation of Level 2 questions occurs by increasing flexibility with academic content and by carefully analyzing decision making processes when answering applied examination questions.

Academic Focus Area
Looking to review related academic content? Check out pages 521-522 in PTEXAM: The Complete Study Guide.

Thanks for joining us on the Scorebuilders Q and A podcast! See you next week!

Watch the video version of this Q&A episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/E-B9BTrSzoM