The nurse is caring for a patient who requires a moist-to-dry dressing. Which action by the nurse is appropriate during the procedure?

Question

a. Applies a dry absorbent outer dressing
b. Packs flat gauze into the wound bed
c. Soaks the wound packing with antiseptic
d. Moistens the old dressing before removal

Answer 1

A
The nurse applies a dry secondary dressing over the wound for protection and infection control and to contain the moist packing. He or she squeezes excess moisture from the fine mesh gauze and packs the wound with the gauze compressed from squeezing to facilitate drainage and debris collection. The gauze used for packing is soaked with sterile saline solution or another isotonic solution. To facilitate débridement, the nurse removes the old dressing without dampening it.