Question

Upon responding to the patient's call bell, the nurse discovers the patient's wound has dehisced. Initial nursing management includes calling the physician and which of the following?

A) Applying an antibiotic ointment to the wound
B) Covering the wound area with sterile towels moistened with sterile 0.9% saline
C) Administering pain medication to the client
D) Massaging the wound gently to promote healing

Answer 1

The initial nursing management for a dehisced wound includes calling the physician and covering the wound area with sterile towels moistened with sterile 0.9% saline.

Step-by-step explanation:

The initial nursing management for a dehisced wound includes calling the physician and covering the wound area with sterile towels moistened with sterile 0.9% saline. Applying an antibiotic ointment may be done based on the physician's recommendation, but it is not the immediate nursing management. Administering pain medication may also be done, but it is not the priority in this situation. Massaging the wound gently is not recommended as it can further damage the wound and hinder the healing process.