Which statement would the nurse use to explain skin covering procedures to a burn patient?

Question

1. Autografts are permanent skin replacement for burns.
2. Meshed autografts are used for the face and hands.
3. Tissue typing is necessary for use of an allograft.
4. Cultured autologous epithelial cells provide a temporary wound covering.

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: Autografting is a procedure that involves removing thin slices of unburned skin from an unburned "donor" site and placing it on top of the excised burn wound as a permanent means of coverage.
Rationale 2: Meshed autografts result in more scarring and are placed, when possible, on the back, buttocks, and thighs.
Rationale 3: Cadaver skin (allograft) is often used to temporarily cover excised skin, and tissue typing is not performed. Therefore, allograft results in a temporary coverage until it sloughs from the wound bed.
Rationale 4: Cultured autologous epithelial cells manufactured by Genzyme are the only commercially available permanent skin covering available in the United States. The cost of autologous epithelial autograft is considerable and use is reserved for patients with very large burns and few donor sites.