Question

A nurse is cleaning the wound of a gunshot victim. Which is a recommended guideline for this procedure?

a) Clean the wound from the bottom to the top, and outside to the center.
b) Clean the wound from the top to the bottom, and center to outside.
c) Once the wound is cleaned, dry the area with an absorbent cloth.
d) Use a clean technique to clean the wound.

Answer 1

The correct guideline is to clean the wound from the top to the bottom, and center to outside, using aseptic techniques to minimize the risk of infection. Use of protective gear and proper hand hygiene is essential.

Step-by-step explanation:

The recommended guideline for cleaning the wound of a gunshot victim is option b) Clean the wound from the top to the bottom, and center to outside. This method helps to avoid contaminating the clean areas with debris or bacteria from the more contaminated areas. It is important to use aseptic techniques during wound cleaning to minimize the risk of infection. After cleaning, the wound should generally not be dried with an absorbent cloth as this may introduce fibers or debris into the wound; instead, air-drying or using a sterile gauze is often recommended. Protective gear such as gloves should always be used when cleaning wounds, and proper hand hygiene is critical before and after wound care to prevent the spread of infection.