The nurse is caring for a client who is being discharged following abdominal surgery with an incision. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to teach this client regarding wound healing?
A)"Thoroughly irrigate the wound with hydrogen peroxide once a day."
B)"Apply a lubricating lotion to the edges of the wound twice a day."
C)"Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet."
D)"Notify the healthcare provider if you notice swelling, warmth, or tenderness at the wound site."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A)A client being discharged with a surgical wound has to be instructed on the detection of infection, as the skin is the first line of defense. Signs such as edema, heat, and tenderness would indicate a local infection. Increasing fruits and vegetables would increase vitamin C, which helps with wound healing, but more protein would be the best choice. Irrigating with hydrogen peroxide would break down good granulating tissue, so this also would not increase healing. Applying lubricating lotion to the edges of a wound would impede the healing process.
B)A client being discharged with a surgical wound has to be instructed on the detection of infection, as the skin is the first line of defense. Signs such as edema, heat, and tenderness would indicate a local infection. Increasing fruits and vegetables would increase vitamin C, which helps with wound healing, but more protein would be the best choice. Irrigating with hydrogen peroxide would break down good granulating tissue, so this also would not increase healing. Applying lubricating lotion to the edges of a wound would impede the healing process.
C)A client being discharged with a surgical wound has to be instructed on the detection of infection, as the skin is the first line of defense. Signs such as edema, heat, and tenderness would indicate a local infection. Increasing fruits and vegetables would increase vitamin C, which helps with wound healing, but more protein would be the best choice. Irrigating with hydrogen peroxide would break down good granulating tissue, so this also would not increase healing. Applying lubricating lotion to the edges of a wound would impede the healing process.
D)A client being discharged with a surgical wound has to be instructed on the detection of infection, as the skin is the first line of defense. Signs such as edema, heat, and tenderness would indicate a local infection. Increasing fruits and vegetables would increase vitamin C, which helps with wound healing, but more protein would be the best choice. Irrigating with hydrogen peroxide would break down good granulating tissue, so this also would not increase healing. Applying lubricating lotion to the edges of a wound would impede the healing process.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client Who Is Being