Wound Care

Principles of Skin and Wound Care 53
— Ferrous gluconate or sulfate dosing is dependent on laboratory
findings. The form—tablet, liquid, capsule, soft
capsule, timed-release drops, or suspension—is dependent
on the patient’s ability to ingest the medication.
— NOTE: concurrent administration of more or equal milligrams
of vitamin C per 30 mg of elemental iron increases
the absorption of oral iron.
— Iron has multiple food interactions that interferes with
absorption such as milk, cereals, dietary fiber, tea, coffee,
and eggs.
— Iron supplementation may result in a false positive on a
stool guaic test.
• Diet orders are required so the patient maintains calories and
hydration to support homeostasis and wound healing.
• Height and weight are taken baseline on admission and
monthly for the time the wound remains open.
• Food and fluid log is maintained for 72 hours in home health
and longer in other levels of care; reevaluate at anytime the
wound demonstrates significant decrease in healing or symptoms
of infection are present.
• The patient and caregivers should be educated on dietary
foods and fluids that enhance healing.
• Documentation in the patient record includes:
— All education provided
— Patient and caregiver response to education
— Provider expectation of patient and caregiver relative to
education
— “Homework” given to the patient
— Diet log
• Follow-up visits include:
— Questions about the patient’s “homework” progress
— Questions about how well the patient and caregiver are
following the education provided