Patient Education: Surgical Wound – Ulcer Wound

What Is a Surgical Wound – Ulcer Wound?

A surgical wound is a cut made by a doctor during surgery. Sometimes, this wound can become an ulcer wound, which means the skin or tissue around the cut breaks down, opens up, or does not heal as expected. This can make healing take longer and increases the risk of infection.

Causes of a Surgical Ulcer Wound

Poor blood flow to the area
Infection in or around the wound
Too much pressure on the wound (laying, sitting, or rubbing on it)
High blood sugar (especially if you have diabetes)
Not following wound care instructions carefully
Poor nutrition

Prevention of Worsening Ulcer Wounds

Keep pressure off the wound (don’t lie or sit directly on it).
Follow all wound care instructions from your doctor or home health nurse.
Wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
Keep blood sugar under control if you have diabetes.
Eat foods that help wounds heal, unless told otherwise by your doctor.
Take all medicines, including antibiotics, as ordered.

Treatment of the Wound (as per your doctor’s order)

The wound will be cleaned and covered with a sterile dressing.
Dressings should be changed as ordered by your nurse or doctor.
You may be given medicine to prevent infection or help with pain.
Sometimes a special dressing or wound vacuum may be used to help it heal.
Never remove or change the dressing unless instructed.

What To Do if the Dressing is Compromised

A compromised dressing means the bandage is wet, dirty, loose, or has fallen off.

Do not try to tape it back down if it is soiled.
Wash your hands and cover the wound with a clean, dry cloth if you do not have supplies.
Call your home health nurse for instructions.
If it happens at night, re-cover with a clean cloth and call in the morning unless the wound is bleeding heavily.

Signs and Symptoms of Infection

Redness spreading around the wound
Warmth or swelling near the wound
Pus or foul-smelling drainage
Fever or chills
More pain than usual

Signs and Symptoms of Worsening Wound

Wound edges pulling apart
Black, dead-looking tissue
Wound getting bigger instead of smaller
No signs of healing after a few weeks

Diet for Wound Healing

Eating the right foods helps your body heal faster:

Protein-rich foods: chicken, fish, eggs, beans, nuts
Vitamins: fruits and vegetables, especially those high in Vitamin C (like oranges and strawberries)
Zinc-rich foods: whole grains, seeds, lean meat
Drink plenty of water

⚠️ Important: If you have kidney problems, talk to your doctor or home health nurse before adding more protein or vitamins to your diet.

When to Contact the Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Dressing comes off or becomes wet/dirty
Mild redness or swelling at the wound site
You notice a small change in drainage or mild pain increase
You have questions about your diet or wound care instructions

When to Go to the Emergency Room

Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
High fever and chills
Redness spreading quickly around the wound
Severe pain not relieved by medicine
Signs of sepsis (confusion, fast heart rate, shortness of breath)

Patient Homework/Assessment: True or False

Write True or False next to each statement:

True or False: A surgical wound is always fully healed within one week.
True or False: An ulcer wound happens when the skin or tissue around a surgical cut breaks down.
True or False: Poor blood flow and diabetes can slow wound healing.
True or False: It is important to keep pressure off the wound.
True or False: Washing your hands before touching your wound helps prevent infection.
True or False: A compromised dressing is one that is clean and dry.
True or False: If your dressing falls off, you should tape it back on even if it is dirty.
True or False: Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth, or pus.
True or False: Eating protein-rich foods can help wounds heal.
True or False: People with kidney problems should always ask their doctor before changing their diet.
True or False: It is okay to skip antibiotics if you feel better.
True or False: Wounds getting larger instead of smaller may mean the wound is worsening.
True or False: If your wound dressing gets wet, you should call your home health nurse.
True or False: Fever and chills may be a sign of infection.
True or False: You should sit or lie directly on your wound to relieve pain.
True or False: Your doctor or nurse may order a wound vacuum to help the ulcer heal.
True or False: You should always follow wound care instructions exactly as told.
True or False: You should go to the ER if bleeding will not stop.
True or False: A little redness around the wound is normal, but spreading redness is dangerous.
True or False: Keeping blood sugar under control helps wound healing.

Answer Key with Explanations

False – Surgical wounds may take weeks or months to heal.
True – An ulcer wound is when tissue around the surgical site breaks down.
True – Poor circulation and high blood sugar delay healing.
True – Pressure slows healing and can damage tissue.
True – Clean hands prevent bacteria from entering the wound.
False – A compromised dressing is wet, dirty, loose, or fallen off.
False – Never reuse a dirty dressing; cover with a clean cloth and call nurse.
True – These are classic signs of infection.
True – Protein helps rebuild tissue.
True – Kidney disease changes what diet is safe.
False – Always take antibiotics as prescribed.
True – Wounds getting bigger means poor healing.
True – Wet dressings can cause infection and must be changed.
True – Fever and chills often mean infection is spreading.
False – Sitting or lying on the wound adds pressure and delays healing.
True – Wound vacuums can speed up healing.
True – Following instructions is key to recovery.
True – Uncontrolled bleeding is an emergency.
True – Some redness is okay, spreading redness is not.
True – Controlled blood sugar improves healing.