What nursing interventions decrease the risk of pressure injuries? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A reason: Culturing the wound is not the nurse's priority assessment for this client, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Culturing the wound is a procedure that involves collecting a sample of the wound drainage and sending it to the laboratory for analysis, which can help identify the type and source of infection. Culturing the wound is an important intervention, but it should be done after inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage, and with a medical order and a sterile technique.

Choice B reason: Applying topical ointment to the wound is not the nurse's priority assessment for this client, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Applying topical ointment to the wound is a procedure that involves applying a medication or a dressing to the wound site, which can help prevent or treat infection, inflammation, or pain. Applying topical ointment to the wound is an important intervention, but it should be done after inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage, and with a medical order and a clean technique.

Choice C reason: Inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage is the nurse's priority assessment for this client, because it is the most urgent and relevant action. Inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage is a process that involves observing and measuring the wound site and the wound exudate, which can reveal the presence and severity of infection, injury, or healing. Inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage is an essential assessment, as it can guide the diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of the client's condition.

Choice D reason: Calling the provider to initiate antibiotics is not the nurse's priority assessment for this client, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Calling the provider to initiate antibiotics is a communication that involves reporting the client's situation and requesting a prescription for an antimicrobial agent, which can help fight or prevent infection. Calling the provider to initiate antibiotics is an important communication, but it should be done after inspecting the wound and assessing the drainage, and with the necessary data and documentation.

Choice A reason: Inflammatory is the phase of wound healing that occurs at the time of injury and lasts about 35 days, because it is the first and immediate response to tissue damage. Inflammatory is the phase of wound healing that involves the activation of the immune system, the release of chemical mediators, the dilation of blood vessels, the increase of blood flow, the migration of white blood cells, and the formation of a clot. Inflammatory is the phase of wound healing that aims to control bleeding, prevent infection, and prepare the wound for healing.

Choice B reason: Proliferative is not the phase of wound healing that occurs at the time of injury and lasts about 35 days, but rather the phase of wound healing that occurs after the inflammatory phase and lasts about 23 weeks. Proliferative is the phase of wound healing that involves the growth and multiplication of new cells, the formation of granulation tissue, the synthesis of collagen, the contraction of the wound edges, and the development of epithelial tissue. Proliferative is the phase of wound healing that aims to fill the wound, restore the strength, and cover the defect.

Choice C reason: Maturation is not the phase of wound healing that occurs at the time of injury and lasts about 35 days, but rather the phase of wound healing that occurs after the proliferative phase and lasts about several months to years. Maturation is the phase of wound healing that involves the remodeling and reorganization of the collagen fibers, the reduction of scar tissue, the improvement of elasticity, and the restoration of function. Maturation is the phase of wound healing that aims to refine the wound, enhance the quality, and optimize the outcome.

Choice D reason: Intentional is not the phase of wound healing that occurs at the time of injury and lasts about 35 days, but rather a classification of wound healing that depends on the type and extent of tissue damage, the degree of contamination, and the method of closure. Intentional is a classification of wound healing that refers to wounds that are surgically created, have minimal tissue loss, are clean and sterile, and are closed by primary intention, which means that the wound edges are approximated with sutures, staples, or glue. Intentional is a classification of wound healing that results in faster healing, less scarring, and lower risk of infection.