A nurse assesses that the periwound area of a patient's large abdominal wound is macerated. What change in nursing management will be required because of the maceration?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Maceration occurs when the skin around the wound becomes too moist, leading to the breakdown of healthy tissue. To address maceration, the moist dressing must be kept off the periwound area, allowing it to dry and heal. Applying a petroleum-based product or a separate moist dressing will exacerbate the maceration and hinder the healing process.

A Nurse Assesses That the Periwound Area of a Patient's