Question

A medical assistant is performing a suture removal on a patient. Which of the following actions should the assistant take to remove the sutures?

1) Use sterile gloves and a sterile suture removal kit
2) Apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area before removing the sutures
3) Use a sterile technique to prevent infection during the procedure
4) Remove each suture one at a time, ensuring the patient is comfortable

Answer 1

To remove sutures, a medical assistant should use sterile gloves and equipment, apply topical anesthetic if necessary, maintain a sterile field with aseptic technique, and remove sutures one at a time, ensuring patient comfort.

Step-by-step explanation:

To perform a suture removal, a medical assistant should follow these steps:

1. Use sterile gloves and a sterile suture removal kit to prevent the introduction of microbes into the site and to maintain aseptic technique.
2. Apply a topical anesthetic to the area to ensure the comfort of the patient during the suture removal process, if it is necessary and prescribed by the healthcare provider.
3. Employ a sterile technique throughout the procedure to prevent infection, which includes handwashing, using sterilized equipment, and maintaining a sterile field.
4. Remove each suture one at a time, ensuring the patient's comfort and allowing for the careful inspection of the suture site for signs of infection or improper healing.

Throughout the procedure, communication with the patient is essential to assess their comfort and inform them about what to expect during suture removal. It is also vital to adhere strictly to the guidelines on maintaining sterility to prevent sepsis and promote proper healing of the incision site.