Concept mapping the change of a surgical wound dressing.

Changing a surgical wound dressing is a traditional nursing task that incorporates many areas of nursing knowledge. This article describes the construction of a concept map to sort the subjective, objective and constructed knowledge required to perform this task with optimal wound healing the goal. Critical thinking is used to select and exclude information. The use of concept maps as a tool to synthesise knowledge is discussed as is how the chosen concept incorporates the art and science of nursing care. The concept map displays the wholistic assessment of the client and use of nursing knowledge to determine and promote wound healing.