Question

The nurse is discussing home care wound irrigation with a patient and the caregiver. Which of the patient's statements indicates a need for further teaching?

1 "If I observe thick, yellow drainage with an odor, my wound may be infected."
2 "I can continue using normal saline solution if there are signs of infection."
3 "I should increase the frequency of irrigation if wound drainage increases."
4 "I can prepare my own saline solution by adding 8 teaspoons of salt in 1 gallon of distilled water."

Answer 1

The patient's statement about preparing their own saline solution with an incorrect salt-to-water ratio indicates a need for further teaching. The proper concentration is roughly 0.9%, which requires significantly less salt than the patient suggested. This error could lead to harm, indicating the importance of precise education on wound care and saline solution preparation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement from the patient that indicates a need for further teaching is "I can prepare my own saline solution by adding 8 teaspoons of salt in 1 gallon of distilled water." While self-care and home treatment are encouraged, precision is crucial when it comes to making medical solutions. The concentration of salt in saline solution is important and an incorrect preparation can damage tissue or lead to ineffectiveness in treatment. In general, the recommended concentration for a saline solution is approximately 0.9%, which equates to about 9 grams (roughly 2 teaspoons) of salt per liter (about 1/4 gallon) of water. The patient's formula would result in a highly concentrated solution and could potentially harm the wound.

Patient education should be thorough to prevent harm and ensure understanding of procedures like wound irrigation. The nurse should explain the correct ratio for making a saline solution if home preparation is necessary and emphasize the importance of using sterile techniques and the risk of infection if the concentration is incorrect.