Question

The plan of care for a postoperative client specifies that sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution be used to clean the wound. What should the nurse do after reading this information?

A) Question the physician about the accuracy of this agent.
B) Refuse to use 0.9% normal saline on a wound.
C) Document the rationale for not changing the dressing.
D) Continue with the dressing change as planned.

Answer 1

Upon reading the plan of care indicating the use of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution for wound cleaning, the nurse should proceed with the dressing change as specified, using the normal saline which is a standard and appropriate wound care agent.

Step-by-step explanation:

The plan of care for a postoperative client specifies that sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution be used to clean the wound. After reading this information, the nurse should Continue with the dressing change as planned. Sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution, known as normal saline, is a standard wound cleaning agent that matches the osmolarity of the body's natural fluids, making it an appropriate choice for wound care unless contraindicated.

This practice aligns with medical standards for infection control and wound management. Sterile 0.9% sodium chloride is used to clean wounds because it is isotonic and does not harm living cells. It is the same concentration as the sodium chloride found in our bodies, thus providing a safe and effective way to manage wounds without causing additional stress to the tissue.