The nurse is performing a dry sterile dressing change for an abdominal wound.
The nurse should use a swab to clean:
A.
From the left to the right across the wound.
B.
From the outer abdomen toward the wound.
C.
In a circular motion around the wound, circling to the outside.
D.
Directly over the wound.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
C. In a circular motion around the wound, circling to the outside.
Explanation:
When performing a dry sterile dressing change for an abdominal wound, the primary goal is to minimize the risk of introducing infection into the wound. This is achieved through proper technique in cleaning the wound area.
Circular Motion Around the Wound: Cleaning in a circular motion around the wound, moving from the center outward, helps to prevent the spread of contaminants from the surrounding skin into the wound. The rationale behind this technique is that the center of the wound is typically more contaminated due to the presence of the wound itself, and moving outward ensures that any potential contaminants are carried away from the wound rather than being pushed into it.
Here’s a step-by-step overview of why this method is preferred:
- Minimizes Infection Risk: By starting at the center and moving outward, the risk of introducing bacteria from the skin into the wound is minimized. This is because the area closest to the wound is generally more contaminated than the skin farther away.
- Reduces Contamination: This method helps in removing debris and bacteria from the skin near the wound before applying a new dressing. As you clean away from the wound, you reduce the chance of reintroducing any contaminants.
- Promotes Effective Cleaning: The circular motion allows for a more thorough cleaning of the skin surrounding the wound, which is essential for proper wound healing and infection prevention.
Alternative Methods and Why They’re Less Effective:
- From Left to Right Across the Wound: This method might spread contaminants from one side of the wound to the other rather than effectively cleaning the area.
- From Outer Abdomen Toward the Wound: This approach can inadvertently move contaminants from the outer skin toward the wound.
- Directly Over the Wound: Cleaning directly over the wound can introduce contaminants into the wound, which is counterproductive to maintaining a sterile environment.
In summary, cleaning in a circular motion from the center outwards is a key practice in wound care to ensure that contaminants are moved away from the wound, thereby supporting the healing process and preventing infection.