OBJECTIVES: This descriptive study aimed to elaborate an algorithm to support the nurses' selection of dressings for treatment in different wounds in children and to evaluate its effectiveness according to pediatric nurses' opinion. METHODS: This algorithm was composed of steps related to assessment of skin and healing process stage, the cleaning process determination and primary and secondary dressings selection. RESULTS: The 24 nurses who participated in the algorithm evaluation were graduated at two years in average and since then they have been working in the pediatric field; 87,5% had post graduation courses and all of them have been caring by month, a rate of one to four children with open wounds. Regarding to the algorithm evaluation, in the majority of studied variables, the nurses described the protocol as useful to support nursing interventions. CONCLUSION: The majority (95,8%) of the nurses described the instrument as important to application in practice.
Nursing; Pediatric nursing; Bandages; Wound healing
