Question

A woman has a simple vulvectomy. Postoperatively, the nurse instructs her to take a sitz bath and keep the area clean and dry. The nurse understands the reason for these measures is:

A. To debride the area and prevent wound infection
B. To increase circulation to the area and promote wound healing
C. To prevent swelling of surrounding lymph nodes
D. To cleanse the area and diminish the possibility of postoperative bleeding

Answer 1

The nurse advises a patient after a vulvectomy to take sitz baths and keep the area clean and dry to debride the area and prevent wound infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse instructs the woman who has undergone a simple vulvectomy to take a sitz bath and to keep the area clean and dry. The primary reason for these postoperative measures is to debride the area and prevent wound infection. Sitz baths are beneficial for cleaning the area without the need for harsh scrubbing which can be irritating to the surgical site. They also help in keeping the area dry which mitigates the risk of infection by reducing moisture that can promote bacterial growth. Maintaining the cleanliness of the surgical site is essential to reduce microbial load and to prevent complications like wound infection, which can impede the healing process.