Final answer:
The most suitable wound lavage solution is A) 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline). It is isotonic and gentle on tissues, whereas options like hydrogen peroxide and povidone-iodine may be damaging.
Step-by-step explanation:
An appropriate wound lavage solution is 0.9% sodium chloride, also known as a normal saline solution. This solution is isotonic with body fluids, which makes it a suitable choice for cleaning wounds without causing additional damage to the tissues.
On the other hand, solutions like 3.5% hydrogen peroxide, 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, and 10% povidone-iodine are generally considered too harsh for tissue and may impede wound healing or cause tissue damage if used for wound lavage.
For microbial control to prevent infection on living tissues, an antiseptic is suitable. Antiseptics are applied to the surface of living tissue to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. Disinfectants, while effective for reducing microbial load, are typically used on non-living surfaces.
A sterilant is a type of agent that eliminates all forms of microbial life, including spores, and is generally used on surgical instruments and medical equipment rather than on living tissue. Water alone does not have antimicrobial properties significant enough for this purpose.