Final answer:
In applying wet compresses or dressings, a nurse should ensure the skin is dry before reapplication to prevent infection. Watching for redness, swelling, and pain indicates if an infection is developing. Health-care workers must practice rigorous handwashing to prevent microbial introduction into wounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
When applying wet compresses or dressings to the skin, the nurse should C) Ensure that the skin is thoroughly dried before reapplication of the dressing. This is important because moist environments can promote the growth of bacteria and can potentially lead to an infection. When a cut or abrasion occurs, the body initiates a wound-healing response; the first step is the formation of a blood clot to stop bleeding followed by the recruitment of different types of cells involved in wound repair. Monitoring for increased redness, swelling, and pain after a cut or abrasion has been cleaned and bandaged is essential because these signs can indicate a potential infection. Proper handwashing is crucial for health-care workers to prevent the introduction of microbes into surgical or open wounds. After a skin injury, fibroblasts repair the damaged tissue by collagen deposition, forming granulation tissue, while immune cells protect against infection.