Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:02 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:02 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Apply principles of wound management in the clinical environment
Apply principles of wound management in the clinical environment
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTEN506B
HLTEN506B
State Code
D8211
D8211
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
24/08/2012
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
24/08/2012
Nominal Hours
50
Description
DescriptorEnrolled/Division 2 nurses apply contemporary wound management principles to the care of clients with varying types of wounds
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Undertake wound assessment
- 1.1 Demonstrate understanding of common ways disease is spread and infection is developed throughout wound assessment and care
- 1.2 Seek client cooperation and consent
- 1.3 Maintain client privacy and dignity
- 1.4 Utilise strategies to minimise cross-infection during assessment and implementation
- 1.5 Record data in line with organisation protocols, guidelines and procedures
- 1.6 Observe orders relating to non-disturbance of dressings
2. Assess the impact of a wound on a client and/or their family
- 2.1 Assist in performing a holistic client assessment
- 2.2 Apply an understanding of the physiological and biochemical processes associated with normal wound healing when assessing a wound
- 2.3 Consider factors which impact on wound healing and the psychosocial impact of a wound on the client's activities of daily living
- 2.4 Take into account the common problems and complications of wounds when assessing a wound
- 2.5 Correctly use health terminology associated with wound care
- 2.6 Discuss the modes of transmission of infection and the development of infection with the client, family or significant other
3. Contribute to planning appropriate care for the client with a wound
- 3.1 Take into account primary health care principles and holistic approach when planning care
- 3.2 Use contemporary assessment tools accurately
- 3.3 Access a database of wound care representatives to assist in wound care decision making
- 3.4 Use an evidence-based problem solving approach to contribute to the analysis and planning of appropriate wound care management strategies
- 3.5 Contribute to development of an individual wound management plan for the client in consultation/collaboration with the client and the health care team, including a registered nurse
- 3.6 Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the members of the wound care health team in planning wound care
- 3.7 Discuss preventative wound care strategies with the client and/or family
- 3.8 Identify client comfort needs (eg. pain relief) before undertaking wound care
- 3.9 Consult with the registered nurse regarding analgesic administration within an optimal time frame of procedure if required
4. Undertake clinical nursing care to implement wound care strategies
- 4.1 Apply an understanding of contemporary wound management strategies
- 4.2 Educate the client and/or family on wound management strategies in consultation/ collaboration with a registered nurse
- 4.3 Maintain client privacy and dignity throughout all aspects of the procedure
- 4.4 Implement wound care strategies taking into account legislation and organisation policies and procedures
- 4.5 Practise standard precautions in wound management to minimise the risk of infection to the client
- 4.6 In consultation/collaboration with the health care team, utilise wound management products and techniques appropriate to the identified phase of wound healing and collect all resources required for the procedure
- 4.7 Follow aseptic technique for clean surgical wound and use clean techniques where appropriate
- 4.8 Remove sutures, clips and drains as directed by a registered nurse
- 4.9 Collect specimens required for microbiology/ cytology as per organisation protocol
- 4.10 Dispose of all articles appropriately following the procedure, disposing of hazardous waste appropriately in line with organisation policies and procedures
- 4.11 Complete documentation and make the client comfortable
5. Assist in evaluating the outcomes of nursing actions
- 5.1 Monitor the client's response and progress towards planned wound management goals
- 5.2 Ensure client is involved in the evaluation process
- 5.3 Assist in assessing the effectiveness of wound management strategies
- 5.4 Assist in assessing the effectiveness of wound products
- 5.5 Modify wound management strategies, procedures and goals for the individual client in consultation/ collaboration with registered nurse
- 5.6 Work within a cost effective framework
- 5.7 Evaluate, document and communicate outcomes to the appropriate members of the health care team
- 5.8 Document progress of wound healing and wound care strategy outcomes using contemporary wound management terminology
- 5.9 Identify and plan health education and promotion strategies in consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse
6. Apply contemporary wound management strategies to complex or challenging wounds
- 6.1 Apply an understanding of the complexity of wounds encountered in the clinical environment and pathological processes of wound healing for complex or challenging wounds
- 6.2 Assist to assess the client with a complex or challenging wound within a holistic framework, in consultation/collaboration with the health care team
- 6.3 Create and review individualised plans of care for the client with a complex or challenging wound, in consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse
- 6.4 Implement appropriate contemporary wound management strategies to manage complex or challenging wounds
- 6.5 Assist to evaluate the effectiveness of the planned care for the client with complex or challenging wounds in consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse
- 6.6 Participate in a collaborative approach to wound management with members of the health care team
- 6.7 Identify the common problems and complications of complex and challenging wounds
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Wound management techniques include:
Wound debridement
Wound specimen collection
Interpreting laboratory results
Doppler assessment
Compression therapy
Wound cleansing techniques
Wound measurement
Clinical photography
Wound tracing
Selection of wound products include:
Range of products
Primary dressing products
Secondary dressing products
Wound cleansing products
Wound management strategies includes:
Wound management principles
Moist wound healing
Holistic assessment
Individualised wound management plan of care
Problem solving framework
Skin assessment
Risk assessment
Pressure support and relieving devices
Prevention programs
Members of health care team
Wound characteristics
Selection of wound products
Complex or challenging wounds could include:
Acute wounds
Surgical wounds
Acutely discharging wounds
Burns
Acute and/or chronic wounds include:
Surgical wounds
Pressure ulcers
Venous ulcers
Arterial ulcers
Mixed ulcers
Discharging wound
Malignant wounds
Neuropathic ulceration wounds
Infected wounds
Burns
Fistulas and sinuses
Pain management
Wound healing include:
Phases of wound healing
Modes of wound healing
Factors influencing wound healing
Moist wound healing
Role of exudate
Principles of infection control:
Nosocomial infections
Causative organisms
Principles of asepsis
Hand washing
Wounds caused by micro-organisms include:
Staphylococcus aureus - boils, wound infections
Clostridium - tetanus, gas gangrene, botulism
Proteus - wound infections
Common fungal infections include:
Tinea pedis (athlete's foot)
Tinea capitus / corporis (ringworm)
Common viral diseases may include:
herpes simplex I (cold sores)
herpes simplex II (genital herpes)
herpes zoster
Commonly seen wounds as a result of acute/chronic conditions may include:
Diabetic ulcers
Burns
Pressure (decubitus) ulcers
Tropical ulcers
Post surgical
Trauma
Harmful effects of microflora include:
Skin - pimples, carbuncles, furuncles
Mouth - gum disease, caries
Ears and eyes - otitis externa, conjunctivitis, trachoma
Components of the chain of infection:
Infective agent
Portal of entry
Portal of exit
Reservoir
Susceptible host
Mode of transmission
Wound management team may function in a variety of health care contexts and may include:
Nurses
Medical practitioners
Occupational therapists
Microbiologists
Pharmacists
Carers
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Wound management techniques include:
Wound debridement
Wound specimen collection
Interpreting laboratory results
Doppler assessment
Compression therapy
Wound cleansing techniques
Wound measurement
Clinical photography
Wound tracing
Selection of wound products include:
Range of products
Primary dressing products
Secondary dressing products
Wound cleansing products
Wound management strategies includes:
Wound management principles
Moist wound healing
Holistic assessment
Individualised wound management plan of care
Problem solving framework
Skin assessment
Risk assessment
Pressure support and relieving devices
Prevention programs
Members of health care team
Wound characteristics
Selection of wound products
Complex or challenging wounds could include:
Acute wounds
Surgical wounds
Acutely discharging wounds
Burns
Acute and/or chronic wounds include:
Surgical wounds
Pressure ulcers
Venous ulcers
Arterial ulcers
Mixed ulcers
Discharging wound
Malignant wounds
Neuropathic ulceration wounds
Infected wounds
Burns
Fistulas and sinuses
Pain management
Wound healing include:
Phases of wound healing
Modes of wound healing
Factors influencing wound healing
Moist wound healing
Role of exudate
Principles of infection control:
Nosocomial infections
Causative organisms
Principles of asepsis
Hand washing
Wounds caused by micro-organisms include:
Staphylococcus aureus - boils, wound infections
Clostridium - tetanus, gas gangrene, botulism
Proteus - wound infections
Common fungal infections include:
Tinea pedis (athlete's foot)
Tinea capitus / corporis (ringworm)
Common viral diseases may include:
herpes simplex I (cold sores)
herpes simplex II (genital herpes)
herpes zoster
Commonly seen wounds as a result of acute/chronic conditions may include:
Diabetic ulcers
Burns
Pressure (decubitus) ulcers
Tropical ulcers
Post surgical
Trauma
Harmful effects of microflora include:
Skin - pimples, carbuncles, furuncles
Mouth - gum disease, caries
Ears and eyes - otitis externa, conjunctivitis, trachoma
Components of the chain of infection:
Infective agent
Portal of entry
Portal of exit
Reservoir
Susceptible host
Mode of transmission
Wound management team may function in a variety of health care contexts and may include:
Nurses
Medical practitioners
Occupational therapists
Microbiologists
Pharmacists
Carers
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace but may be undertaken in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Consistency in Performance
Observation of clinical performance
Questioning
Evidence gathered from the clinical work environment
Competency assessment tools
Case studies
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit is recommended to be assessed in conjunction with the following related units:
HLTAP501B Analyse health information
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
This competency unit incorporates the content of:
HLTEN406B Undertake basic wound care
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion and be assessed by a registered nurse
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace but may be undertaken in a simulated clinical work environment and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Consistency in Performance
Observation of clinical performance
Questioning
Evidence gathered from the clinical work environment
Competency assessment tools
Case studies
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit is recommended to be assessed in conjunction with the following related units:
HLTAP501B Analyse health information
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
This competency unit incorporates the content of:
HLTEN406B Undertake basic wound care
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C9217 | HLTEN506A | Apply principles of wound management in the clinical environment | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWA11 | HLTENN006 | Apply principles of wound management in the clinical environment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D096 | HLT51607 | Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |
| J108 | HLT51612 | Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled-Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |