Wound care and laceration repair for nurse practitioners in emergency care: part II

This is Part II of a 2-part series on wound care and laceration repair for advanced practice nurses. In Part I, the phases and categories of wound healing were outlined. The factors that affected wound healing were also discussed along with an approach for systematic wound management. Patient assessment, special circumstances involving underlying structures, and foreign bodies were also reviewed. Patient preparation, including wound cleansing, irrigation, scrubbing, and debridement were also covered along with anesthetic and analgesic tips and techniques for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in emergency care. In Part II, wound closure (e.g., sutures, staples, and adhesives) and wound closure techniques are discussed along with the pertinent aftercare instructions for patients with these wounds. Implications for APNs caring for patients with wounds in emergency care are also presented in this article.