The patient is undergoing Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) treatment for wound healing. Which would be your first priority in caring for this patient?
Assess the patient for any complaints or problems in the wound area.
Check the settings on the NPWT unit.
Document your findings.
Observe the dressing area.
The Correct Answer is A
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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Leaving the old dressing in place and simply covering it with new wet dressings would not address the issue of the dressing being adhered to the wound bed, which could lead to further tissue damage when it is eventually removed.
Choice B rationale
Povidone-iodine is an antiseptic and not typically used to moisten dressings that are stuck to a wound bed, as it may irritate the wound and delay healing.
Choice C rationale
Adding normal saline is the gentlest method to loosen a dressing that is stuck to a wound bed. It helps to rehydrate the dressing and the wound, making it easier to remove without causing additional trauma to the healing tissue.
Choice D rationale
Pulling off the dressing using slow, steady pressure could cause damage to the new tissue forming in the wound bed and should be avoided unless all other methods have failed.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Healing by second intention occurs when a wound is left open and allowed to close by granulation, epithelialization, and contraction. This method is used for wounds that are infected, have lost tissue, or where there is a delay in suturing. It is not applicable in this case as the wound is sutured and healing cleanly.
Choice B rationale
There is no recognized method of wound healing known as fourth intention. This option does not exist in medical terminology related to wound healing and is therefore not a correct choice.
Choice C rationale
Third intention, also known as delayed primary closure, is when a wound is initially left open due to contamination or infection and is not closed until it is clean. This is not the case here as the wound has been sutured closed from the beginning.
Choice D rationale
First intention, also known as primary intention, is when a clean wound is immediately closed with sutures, staples, or adhesive, leading to minimal scarring. This is the method described in the scenario, where the post-surgical wound is clean, dry, and the sutures are intact, indicating healing by first intention. This method is typically used for surgical incisions under sterile conditions.
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