A nurse is assisting a healthcare provider with a sterile procedure and is preparing to pour solution onto a sterile piece of gauze.
In what sequence should the nurse perform the following steps when pouring the sterile solution?

Choice A rationale

Swabbing an area of skin away from the wound to identify the usual flora is not the correct action. This would not provide a representative sample of the wound infection.

Choice B rationale

Irrigating the wound with an antiseptic prior to obtaining the specimen is not the correct action. This could potentially alter the results of the culture.

Choice C rationale

Cleansing the wound with 0.9% sodium chloride saline irrigation before obtaining the specimen is the correct action. This helps to remove surface bacteria and ensures a more accurate culture result.

Choice D rationale

Including intact skin at the wound edges in the culture is not the correct action. This could contaminate the specimen with bacteria that are not part of the wound infection.

Choice A rationale

As an advocate, the nurse acts to protect the patient’s rights and helps them to speak for themselves. This includes supporting the patient’s decisions, even when these decisions might not be in line with the nurse’s personal beliefs.

Choice B rationale

As a manager, the nurse coordinates activities of members of the nursing staff in delivering nursing care, and oversight ensures that care is safe, effective, and patient-centered.

Choice C rationale

As a caregiver, the nurse assists patients with meeting their physical, psychological, and developmental needs. This role involves direct patient care activities.

Choice D rationale

As an educator, the nurse works to enhance patients’ knowledge about their health and care, promoting health behaviors and self-care skills.