Final answer:
If a pronounced odor is detected when changing a wound dressing, the nurse should notify the physician, clean the wound, and potentially culture the wound while anticipating an antibiotic treatment order.
Step-by-step explanation:
Upon removing a dressing from a client's wound, if a pronounced odor is present, the appropriate action for the nurse to take would be to notify the physician of a possible wound infection, as this can be a sign of infection requiring medical evaluation. Additionally, the nurse should clean the wound and reassess for the presence of infection. Depending on the assessment and protocols, the nurse might also culture the wound while anticipating an order for antibiotics that could be necessary to treat any potential infection. In clinical practice, rapid action and diagnostics are crucial to prevent further complications like those seen in aggressive infections such as necrotizing fasciitis or gas gangrene, which require immediate medical intervention.
When a pronounced odor is present upon removing a dressing from a client's wound, it could indicate the presence of a wound infection. In this case, the nurse should take appropriate action to address the infection. Option a, notifying the physician of a possible wound infection, is the most appropriate response in this situation. The physician can then assess the wound further and determine the necessary course of action.