Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) Practice Exam

What type of dressing is known as matrix dressings impregnated with living cells?

1. Collagen

2. Skin substitutes

3. ECM dressings

4. Nonadherent dressings

The correct answer is: Skin substitutes

The type of dressing known as matrix dressings impregnated with living cells is skin substitutes. These advanced dressings are specifically designed to facilitate the healing of wounds by mimicking the properties of natural skin. They are composed of biological materials that can contain living cells, which play a crucial role in promoting tissue regeneration and repair. Skin substitutes can be derived from various sources, including human and animal tissues, and are used in the management of complex wounds where traditional dressings may be insufficient. Their ability to integrate with the surrounding tissue and provide a scaffold for new cell growth makes them particularly effective for chronic wounds and burns. The other options, while relevant to wound care, do not specifically refer to dressings that contain living cells. Collagen dressings primarily provide a framework for cell migration and tissue formation but do not inherently contain living cells. ECM dressings, or extracellular matrix dressings, are designed to support healing but may not be impregnated with living cells. Nonadherent dressings are generally used to protect wounds without sticking to the underlying tissue, and they do not incorporate living cells as well.