Question

The nurse should clean away from the wound to prevent contamination. Two separate swabs are to be used: one to clean from the top of the incision toward the draining site and another to clean from the bottom of the incision toward the draining site. Irrigation fluid should flow from the least to most contaminated area to prevent transmission of bacteria. Application of pressure while cleaning the wound should be avoided, but gentle friction may be applied while cleaning the traumatic wound with the noncytotoxic solution.

a) True

b) False

Answer 1

The statement is true, emphasizing the significance of proper aseptic techniques such as cleaning wounds from the least to most contaminated area to avoid spreading bacteria. Under a microscope, the shape, size, arrangement, and Gram reaction of bacteria can be observed, aiding in identifying the infection and selecting an effective antibiotic treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement regarding wound cleaning suggests that proper technique is important to avoid contamination. This is indeed true. To maintain asepsis during wound care, it is critical to clean from the least contaminated toward the most contaminated area to prevent the spread of bacteria. When observing bacteria under a microscope after collecting a sample from a wound, one can learn about their shape, size, and arrangement. These characteristics can help identify the type of bacteria present, which is essential for determining the appropriate antibiotic treatment. Additionally, special staining techniques such as Gram staining can indicate the bacteria's Gram reaction, which is another crucial factor in identification and treatment choice.

Medical personnel must exercise rigorous hygiene practices, such as thorough handwashing and the use of protective equipment, to prevent the transmission of bacteria and the onset of potentially lethal conditions like gas gangrene and necrotizing fasciitis.