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

Which factor may complicate the application of NPWT?

1. Presence of non-infected wounds.

2. Loss of seal requiring urgent changes.

3. Low level of wound exudate.

4. Infrequent dressing changes.

The correct answer is: Loss of seal requiring urgent changes.

The presence of loss of seal requiring urgent changes can complicate the application of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Maintaining an airtight seal is crucial for the effectiveness of NPWT as it relies on creating a vacuum that promotes healing by removing exudate and reducing bacterial load. If the seal is compromised, the therapeutic effects of the negative pressure are diminished, and additional urgency to replace the dressing can lead to interruptions in the treatment process, potentially delaying healing and increasing the risk of infection. Other factors, while they can affect the treatment process, do not directly compromise the underlying mechanism of NPWT as significantly. For instance, non-infected wounds may still benefit from NPWT and the presence of low levels of wound exudate can often be managed with appropriate adjustments to therapy. Infrequent dressing changes, while they can affect the overall care routine, are not inherently complicating to the application of NPWT itself as long as the therapy is maintained effectively during those changes.