The nurse places Dakin’s solution in a wound for which purpose?

Choice A rationale
The nurse’s first priority should always be to assess the patient’s condition. In the context of NPWT, this means checking for any complaints or problems in the wound area. This assessment helps to ensure that the NPWT is not causing additional issues and that the wound is healing as expected.

Choice B rationale
While it is important to check the settings on the NPWT unit to ensure it is functioning correctly, this is not the first priority. The patient’s well-being and response to treatment take precedence over equipment checks.

Choice C rationale
Documentation is a critical part of patient care, but it comes after patient assessment and any necessary interventions. It serves to record the patient’s status and the care provided but is not the immediate priority.

Choice D rationale
Observing the dressing area is part of the overall assessment of the patient and the effectiveness of the NPWT. However, it is not the first action to take. The nurse must first assess the patient for any discomfort or complications before focusing on the dressing itself.

Choice A rationale
Prolonged immobility can indeed cause swelling due to fluid accumulation; however, it typically does not lead to sudden worsening or significant swelling at a specific wound site. It is more associated with generalized edema, particularly in dependent areas of the body.

Choice B rationale
While infections can cause swelling, they are also accompanied by other signs such as redness, warmth, pain, and possibly fever. Swelling alone, without these other symptoms, is less indicative of an infection.

Choice C rationale
A deeper injury might cause swelling, but this would have been identified during the initial assessment. Swelling that occurs later in the healing process is less likely to be from a deeper, previously unnoticed injury.

Choice D rationale
Swelling at a wound site is often due to inflammation, where blood vessels dilate and become more permeable, allowing plasma to leak into the tissue. This is a normal part of the healing process as the body brings in necessary cells and substances to promote recovery.