The nurse is taking care of a postsurgical patient and notes the incision is clean and dry, with sutures intact.
The nurse further assesses that the wound is healing by:

Choice A rationale:

Abdominal pads are not designed to minimize pain during dressing changes.

Choice B rationale:

Hydrogel dressings are known to minimize pain during dressing changes.

Choice C rationale:

Wet-to-dry dressings can cause discomfort during dressing changes.

Choice D rationale:

Dry gauze can stick to the wound bed and cause pain during dressing changes.

Choice A rationale:

Strengthening the wall of the wound is not the primary function of vacuum-assisted closure. The main function is to promote wound healing by applying negative pressure.

Choice B rationale:

Drawing the wound edges together by negative pressure is the correct answer. Vacuum-assisted closure, also known as negative pressure wound therapy, works by applying negative pressure to the wound, which helps to draw the edges of the wound together and promote healing.

Choice C rationale:

Making an air occlusive cover for the wound is not the primary function of vacuum-assisted closure. The main function is to promote wound healing by applying negative pressure.

Choice D rationale:

Interrupting the proliferation of bacteria in the wound is not the primary function of vacuum-assisted closure. The main function is to promote wound healing by applying negative pressure.