The nurse is caring for a patient who has a pressure ulcer on the hip. The ulcer is filled with purulent discharge and has black areas over part of it. It is painful and has a foul odor. What must be done first for healing to occur?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first step in treating this pressure ulcer is to perform wound débridement to remove the necrotic or dead tissue, purulent discharge, and other debris in the wound. This will help promote healing and prevent infection. Antibiotic administration and wound cultures may be necessary after wound débridement. However, the focus initially is on cleaning the wound through débridement.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has a Pressure