… The remaining 10% was thought to drain back into the blood via lymphatic vessels (Ganong, 2005). However, recent research has revealed that the lymphatic system has a more prominent role in maintaining fluid circulation than previously thought. … If clinically, (Falanga, 2000)* feasible dressing could stay on for up to a week 2 Partial Moderate amount Dressing changes required every 2–3 days 3 Uncontrolled Very exudative wound Absorptive dressing changes required at least daily Exudate Indicators amount Exudate amount None Wound tissues dry element of Bates- Scant Wound tissues moist; no measurable exudate Jensen Wound Small Wound tissues wet; moisture evenly distributed in wound; drainage involves ≤25% dressing Assessment Tool Moderate Wound tissues saturated; drainage may or may not be evenly distributed in wound; drainage involves (Bates-Jensen, 2001) >25% to ≤75% dressing Large Wound tissues bathed in fluid; drainage freely expressed; may or may not be evenly distributed in wound; drainage involves >75% of dressing Status Indicators Dry Wound bed is dry; there is no visible moisture and the primary dressing is unmarked; dressing may be adherent to wound Moist Small amounts of fluid are visible when the dressing is removed; the primary dressing may be lightly Dressing: exudate marked; dressing change frequency is appropriate for dressing type interaction Wet Small amounts of fluid are visible when the dressing is removed; the primary dressing is extensively (WUWHS, 2007) marked, but strikethrough is not occurring; dressing change frequency is appropriate for dressing type Saturated Primary dressing is wet and strikethrough is occurring; dressing change is required more frequently than usual for the dressing type; periwound skin may be macerated Leaking Dressings are saturated and exudate is escaping from primary and secondary dressings onto clothes or beyond; dressing change is required much more frequently than usual for dressing type ■ Low, medium, high ■ None, scant, moderate, high Others (Gray, 2005; ■ None, low, moderate, high, very high Fletcher, 2010) ■ Dry/none; slight (weekly dressing change); moderate (2–3 times weekly dressing change; copious (daily or more frequent changes) ■ +; ++; +++ * New technologies developed in the last 18 years allow much better exudate management, with increased absorption and retention capabilities. … Journal of Clinical Microbiology 51(10): 1-6 (New Rochelle) 2(8): 438–47 Ganong WF (2005) Review of medical physiology. New York: McGraw-Hill McGuinness W, Vella E, Harrison D (2004) Influence of dressing changes on wound temperature. …