A medical assistant in a provider's office is cleaning a patient's jagged, contaminated wound. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Irrigate the wound with sterile normal saline.
Insert liquid bandage into the wound.
Wash the wound with soap and warm water.
Apply microporous tape to the wound.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Irrigate the wound with sterile normal saline. Irrigating the wound with sterile normal saline is the appropriate action for cleaning a contaminated wound, as it helps to remove debris and reduce the risk of infection.
B. Insert liquid bandage into the wound. A liquid bandage is not appropriate for a contaminated wound, especially if the wound is jagged, as it could trap contaminants inside.
C. Wash the wound with soap and warm water. While soap and water are good for general wound cleaning, sterile normal saline is preferred for contaminated wounds in a clinical setting to minimize irritation and infection.
D. Apply microporous tape to the wound. Microporous tape is used for securing dressings, not for cleaning wounds.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Apply ice to the wound: Ice can help with swelling but is not the first-line treatment for controlling bleeding.
B. Lower the affected leg: Elevating the leg is usually recommended, not lowering it, to help control bleeding.
C. Press down firmly over a pressure point: Applying firm pressure to a pressure point can help control hemorrhage by reducing blood flow to the area.
D. Cauterize the wound from the edges to center: Cauterization is not typically a first response in an emergency setting; it is usually performed in a controlled medical environment.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Obtain a regular referral: If the cardiologist consultation has not been initiated, the medical assistant should obtain or process the referral to ensure the patient sees the specialist as required.
B. Have the patient obtain a second opinion: This action is unnecessary and might be premature if the original referral was not processed.
C. Initiate a referral to a different cardiologist: There is no need to refer to a different cardiologist unless there is a specific issue with the initial referral or cardiologist.
D. Send the patient to the emergency department for evaluation: Sending the patient to the emergency department is not appropriate unless the patient has an urgent issue. The issue here is with the referral process, not an emergency.