CPD focus: a critical examination of five common wound care myths

Matthew Wynn1

  • 1Senior lecturer in adult nursing, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, England.

Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
|November 24, 2025
PubMed

Wound care is a complex and evolving practice. Despite a growing body of evidence on wound healing processes and wound infection management, misconceptions about wound care remain entrenched in nursing practice. These misconceptions can result in suboptimal patient outcomes and increase the economic burden on healthcare services. This article critically examines five common wound care myths - regarding moisture balance, wound sterility, wound swabbing, slough and dressing products - and provides guidance for nurses to support them to provide evidence-based wound care aligned with contemporary scientific understanding and principles of best practice.

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