Final answer:
The nurse anticipates that an alginate dressing will likely be ordered by the primary care provider for a 6-cm × 8-cm infected wound with heavy drainage and foul odor, as it is highly absorbent and suitable for such conditions. The correct option is a. Alginate dressing.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse is caring for a client with a 6-cm × 8-cm wound that is infected and producing a large amount of green exudate with a foul odor. The wound bed is described as moist with yellow and red areas. Considering the characteristics of the wound, including its size, the presence of infection, and the type of exudate, the most suitable dressing is likely an alginate dressing. Alginate dressings are highly absorbent and ideal for wounds with excessive drainage, and they help to maintain a moist wound environment, which is advantageous for wound healing. They can also help control the odor that is often associated with infected wounds. Other dressing options such as hydrocolloid, transparent film, wet-to-dry, and hydrogel dressings may not be as appropriate for this type of wound due to their differing properties and indications for use.
Using a dressing that is too occlusive, like a transparent film dressing, might trap exudate and worsen the infection. A wet-to-dry dressing could dehydrate the already moist wound bed and cause pain on removal. Hydrocolloid dressings are typically used for wounds with mild to moderate exudate, and hydrogel dressings provide moisture to dry wounds, which is not needed in this case.