TISSUE INTEGRITY ATI STUDY GUIDE EXAM 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔ - ✔✔suture fact:
sutures are made from synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester, or from natural
fibers such as silk, linen, and dried animal intestines. both synthetic and natural sutures
can be absorbable or nonabsorbable. *synthetic absorbable sutures dissolve within
days to weeks, sometimes lasting up to 2 months.*
notably, synthetic absorbable sutures generate less tissue reaction than natural
absorbable sutures. *nonabsorbable sutures have been associated with prolonged pain
and suture sinus at the site of injury*
✔✔surgical adhesives and tapes - ✔✔used as alternatives to sutures and staples; they
save time in terms of placement, and the wound infection rates and cosmetic look of the
incisions are comparable to those achieved with other techniques
✔✔Skin adhesives - ✔✔forms a protective waterproof covering over the wound. used
for small, minor wounds and wounds that have straight edges. they are suitable for
wounds on the face, head, parts of arms, legs, and torso but are *not used over joints*
✔✔it is applied as a liquid or paste and takes a few minutes to set
the glue will usually peel off in 5 to 7 days
*remind clients to avoid touching the glue for 24 hours and keep the wound dry for 5
days* - ✔✔client teaching on how to apply a skin adhesive
✔✔negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)
used to assist in the healing and closing of large wounds by reducing edema
surrounding the wound and increasing granulation tissue formation
in this therapy, a foam dressing is applied over the wound and covered by a semi-
porous occlusive dressing, to which suction is applied - ✔✔activity that promotes wound
healing and wound closure (specifically in large wounds) through the application of
uniform negative pressure on the wound bed, reduction in bacteria in the wound, and
the removal of excess wound fluid
✔✔passive drains rely on gravity to remove accumulated fluid from a body cavity or
wound
*penrose drains are an example of a passive drain* - ✔✔wound drains are used to
decrease accumulation of fluid and collect wound drainage for testing and identification.
surgical procedures that often require drain placement include those involving the chest,
breast, abdomen, and thyroid, and plastic surgeries utilizing flap procedures.
wound drains are classified as either passive or active based on their mechanism of
action. describe how a passive drain works.
, ✔✔active drains use negative pressure to suction drainage from wounds or body
cavities
*portable wound bulb suction devices are an example of active drains* - ✔✔wound
drains are used to decrease accumulation of fluid and collect wound drainage for testing
and identification. surgical procedures that often require drain placement include those
involving the chest, breast, abdomen, and thyroid, and plastic surgeries utilizing flap
procedures.
wound drains are classified as either passive or active based on their mechanism of
action. describe how an active drain works.
✔✔open drains remove fluids to the air, while closed drains send fluids to a closed
containment system.
closed systems require smaller incisions and are less likely to become contaminated
with bacteria - ✔✔wound drains may also be classified as either open or closed. what's
the difference?
✔✔hematoma (accumulation of blood in the body)
seroma (accumulation of serous fluid) - ✔✔wound drains are usually removed when the
total wound drainage for a 24-hour period is between *30 and 100 mL* or depending on
provider preference. early removal of these drains has been associated with what 2
complications?
✔✔penrose drain - ✔✔an open drain made of corrugated rubber that is kept outside of
the wound by a safety pin
✔✔a perforated 4 × 4 gauze is placed around the drain and the fluids are collected
directly onto the gauze (a sterile dressing should be maintained at the site for 24-48 hrs;
may be changed using sterile technique if gauze is saturated - ✔✔since the Penrose
drain is an open drain, there is no collection chamber for wound exudate. how would
you collect drainage from this type of drain?
✔✔Portable Wound Bulb Suction Device (aka bulb suction drain) - ✔✔an active, closed
system drain that uses negative suction to drain fluid from the wound; contains a flexible
bulb that is connected to the drainage tube; the tubing is inserted into the wound, while
the bulb remains outside of the wound
✔✔a circular portable wound suction device
to empty the drained fluid
1. open the plug
2. empty the fluid into a measuring cup
3. wipe the plug with an alcohol swab
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔ - ✔✔suture fact:
sutures are made from synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester, or from natural
fibers such as silk, linen, and dried animal intestines. both synthetic and natural sutures
can be absorbable or nonabsorbable. *synthetic absorbable sutures dissolve within
days to weeks, sometimes lasting up to 2 months.*
notably, synthetic absorbable sutures generate less tissue reaction than natural
absorbable sutures. *nonabsorbable sutures have been associated with prolonged pain
and suture sinus at the site of injury*
✔✔surgical adhesives and tapes - ✔✔used as alternatives to sutures and staples; they
save time in terms of placement, and the wound infection rates and cosmetic look of the
incisions are comparable to those achieved with other techniques
✔✔Skin adhesives - ✔✔forms a protective waterproof covering over the wound. used
for small, minor wounds and wounds that have straight edges. they are suitable for
wounds on the face, head, parts of arms, legs, and torso but are *not used over joints*
✔✔it is applied as a liquid or paste and takes a few minutes to set
the glue will usually peel off in 5 to 7 days
*remind clients to avoid touching the glue for 24 hours and keep the wound dry for 5
days* - ✔✔client teaching on how to apply a skin adhesive
✔✔negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)
used to assist in the healing and closing of large wounds by reducing edema
surrounding the wound and increasing granulation tissue formation
in this therapy, a foam dressing is applied over the wound and covered by a semi-
porous occlusive dressing, to which suction is applied - ✔✔activity that promotes wound
healing and wound closure (specifically in large wounds) through the application of
uniform negative pressure on the wound bed, reduction in bacteria in the wound, and
the removal of excess wound fluid
✔✔passive drains rely on gravity to remove accumulated fluid from a body cavity or
wound
*penrose drains are an example of a passive drain* - ✔✔wound drains are used to
decrease accumulation of fluid and collect wound drainage for testing and identification.
surgical procedures that often require drain placement include those involving the chest,
breast, abdomen, and thyroid, and plastic surgeries utilizing flap procedures.
wound drains are classified as either passive or active based on their mechanism of
action. describe how a passive drain works.
, ✔✔active drains use negative pressure to suction drainage from wounds or body
cavities
*portable wound bulb suction devices are an example of active drains* - ✔✔wound
drains are used to decrease accumulation of fluid and collect wound drainage for testing
and identification. surgical procedures that often require drain placement include those
involving the chest, breast, abdomen, and thyroid, and plastic surgeries utilizing flap
procedures.
wound drains are classified as either passive or active based on their mechanism of
action. describe how an active drain works.
✔✔open drains remove fluids to the air, while closed drains send fluids to a closed
containment system.
closed systems require smaller incisions and are less likely to become contaminated
with bacteria - ✔✔wound drains may also be classified as either open or closed. what's
the difference?
✔✔hematoma (accumulation of blood in the body)
seroma (accumulation of serous fluid) - ✔✔wound drains are usually removed when the
total wound drainage for a 24-hour period is between *30 and 100 mL* or depending on
provider preference. early removal of these drains has been associated with what 2
complications?
✔✔penrose drain - ✔✔an open drain made of corrugated rubber that is kept outside of
the wound by a safety pin
✔✔a perforated 4 × 4 gauze is placed around the drain and the fluids are collected
directly onto the gauze (a sterile dressing should be maintained at the site for 24-48 hrs;
may be changed using sterile technique if gauze is saturated - ✔✔since the Penrose
drain is an open drain, there is no collection chamber for wound exudate. how would
you collect drainage from this type of drain?
✔✔Portable Wound Bulb Suction Device (aka bulb suction drain) - ✔✔an active, closed
system drain that uses negative suction to drain fluid from the wound; contains a flexible
bulb that is connected to the drainage tube; the tubing is inserted into the wound, while
the bulb remains outside of the wound
✔✔a circular portable wound suction device
to empty the drained fluid
1. open the plug
2. empty the fluid into a measuring cup
3. wipe the plug with an alcohol swab
