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You are providing care for a 40-year-old female who fell through a plate glass window. The victim sustained a large wound to her left abdomen and it appears that her abdominal contents are protruding out. You should cover the wound with moist sterile dressings.True or False?

User Sanch
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Final answer:

In cases of abdominal wounds with protruding contents, you should indeed cover the wound with moist sterile dressings and seek immediate emergency medical help. Ensure the dressings are lightly placed over the wound and keep the victim calm and still to prevent further injury.

Step-by-step explanation:

First Aid for Protruding Abdominal Wounds

True, you should cover the wound with moist sterile dressings in the case of an abdominal wound with protruding contents. The presence of a wound with exposed abdominal contents, also known as evisceration, requires immediate first aid to minimize further injury and contamination. The first step is to call for emergency medical help. While waiting for help, cover the wound gently with a moist clean cloth or sterile gauze pad to keep the exposed organs moist. Do not attempt to push the organs back in place. Then, lay a piece of plastic wrap over the moist dressing to help seal in the moisture if available. Lastly, place a bandage loosely over the plastic wrap, being careful not to apply pressure to the protruding contents. It is crucial to ensure the victim is calm and still until emergency medical services arrive to reduce the risk of further injury.

Emergency first responders and medical professionals are better equipped to handle such serious injuries following proper protocols and sterile technique to prevent infection and further damage to the organs and tissues. Immediate medical intervention is necessary to assess and treat the injury, which may involve surgery to repair any internal damage and properly close the wound.

User Pavel Melnikov
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