Question

A patient comes to the clinic following a bad scrap off of his bicycle. There is a 5 cm wound across his knee that will need suturing. After asking the patient his history, mechanism of injury, and other details, the NP proceeds to the suture the wound. What must be done before the patient may be discharged?

a. Tetanus prophylaxis if last dose was longer than 5 years ago
b. Lidocaine cream following procedure
c. Tight bandaging to reduce swelling
d. X-ray to ensure no foreign body present

Answer 1

Before the patient may be discharged after suturing a wound, it is important to ensure they have received tetanus prophylaxis if their last dose was longer than 5 years ago. Other options, such as lidocaine cream, tight bandaging, and an X-ray, are not necessary before discharge.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before the patient may be discharged after suturing a wound, it is important to take certain precautions. In this case, the NP should ensure that the patient has received tetanus prophylaxis if their last dose was longer than 5 years ago. Tetanus is a bacterial infection that can result from wounds, so it is important to check if the patient is up to date on their tetanus vaccination.

The other options listed are not necessary before discharge. Lidocaine cream, for example, is used to numb the area before the suturing procedure, so it is not needed afterwards. Tight bandaging may help reduce swelling initially, but it should not be applied for an extended period of time as it can impede blood flow and delay healing. Lastly, an X-ray to check for foreign bodies is not typically required for a 5 cm wound unless there is suspicion of a specific injury.