The nurse is completing a head-to-toe assessment and notices a wound on the patient's trochanter. The patient winces when the area is palpated, and there is minimal slough with visible subcutaneous tissue. How should the nurse stage this wound?
Stage 1 pressure ulcer
Stage 4 pressure ulcer
Stage 2 pressure ulcer
Stage 3 pressure ulcer
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. A Stage 1 pressure ulcer is characterized by intact skin with non-blanchable redness; it does not involve any tissue loss or visible subcutaneous tissue, which is present in this case.
B. A Stage 4 pressure ulcer involves full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, muscle, or tendon; while this wound has visible subcutaneous tissue, it does not exhibit the depth or extent associated with Stage 4.
C. A Stage 2 pressure ulcer is defined by partial-thickness skin loss involving the epidermis and possibly the dermis, presenting as a blister or abrasion. This wound shows more depth and visible subcutaneous tissue, which indicates it is deeper than a Stage 2.
D. A Stage 3 pressure ulcer involves full-thickness skin loss, with visible fat and possible slough. The presence of minimal slough and visible subcutaneous tissue in this wound aligns with the characteristics of a Stage 3 ulcer.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Cleansing the wound with 0.9% sodium chloride saline irrigation helps remove debris and bacteria from the wound surface, ensuring that the specimen collected for culture reflects the infection present in the wound rather than contaminants.
B. Including intact skin at the wound edges in the culture is not advisable, as it may introduce flora that do not represent the infection. The focus should be on obtaining a specimen from the wound itself.
C. Swabbing an area of skin away from the wound to identify normal flora is not relevant when assessing an infection. The culture should target the actual infected area to determine the causative organisms.
D. Irrigating the wound with an antiseptic prior to obtaining the specimen can alter the bacterial load present and lead to inaccurate culture results, as it may kill or wash away organisms that need to be identified.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Requesting an indwelling urinary catheter is not appropriate for preventing skin breakdown; catheters can increase the risk of urinary tract infections and skin irritation.
B. Cleaning the skin and perineum with hot water can cause irritation and dryness. Instead, using mild soap and warm water is recommended for cleaning.
C. Checking the client's skin every 8 hours may not be frequent enough for a client with incontinence, as more frequent assessments are needed to catch signs of breakdown early.
D. Applying a moisture barrier ointment to the skin protects it from moisture and irritants, helping to prevent skin breakdown in clients with urinary incontinence. This action is proactive and aligns with best practices for skin care.