Question

You are applying a saline-moistened dressing to a patient's wound. The patient asks, "Wouldn't it be better to let my wound dry out so a scab can form?" Which of the following responses is most appropriate?

A) "Wounds heal better when a moist wound bed is maintained."
B) "Drying out the wound can help it heal faster."
C) "Scabs can lead to better wound healing."
D) "Saline dressings are only for certain types of wounds."

Answer 1

Wounds heal better when a moist wound bed is maintained.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate response to the patient who asks if it would be better to let their wound dry out so a scab can form is:

Wounds heal better when a moist wound bed is maintained.

Keeping the wound moist can help promote a faster and more efficient healing process. Moist wound healing helps create an optimal environment for cells involved in wound repair, such as fibroblasts, to migrate and proliferate. It also helps prevent the formation of a dry, hard scab that can impede healing and increase the risk of infection.