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Exuding leg ulcer — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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ModerateDressings & wound careExuding leg ulcerSCE Dermatology

A 68-year-old man with a venous ulcer has a clean granulating wound bed but heavy serous exudate that leaks through his current dressing within hours. There is no odour, cellulitis or necrosis, and compression has been started after a normal ABPI. What is the most appropriate dressing choice. What is the most appropriate treatment?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Absorbent foam or alginate dressing

The correct answer is D, absorbent foam or alginate dressing. This patient has a clean granulating venous ulcer with heavy serous exudate and no signs of infection, so the priority is exudate management under compression rather than antimicrobial or occlusive therapy. Foam and alginate dressings are designed to absorb high volumes of fluid while maintaining a moist wound environment, preventing strikethrough and periwound maceration, and they remain compatible with sustained compression bandaging, which is the mainstay treatment for venous ulcers once arterial disease has been excluded by a normal ABPI. Selecting a dressing matched to exudate level also reduces the frequency of compression changes, improving healing rates and patient comfort.

Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/skin-conditions