A school-age child falls on the playground and has a small laceration on the forearm. The school nurse should do which to cleanse the wound?
A) Slowly pour hydrogen peroxide over wound.
B) Soak arm in warm water and soap for at least 30 minutes.
C) Gently cleanse with sterile pad and a non-stinging povidone-iodine solution.
D) Wash wound gently with mild soap and water for several minutes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lacerations should be washed gently with mild soap and water or normal saline. A sterile pad is not necessary, and hydrogen peroxide and povidone-iodine should not be used because they have a cytotoxic effect on healthy cells and minimal effect on controlling infection. Soaking the arm will not effectively clean the wound.

A School-Age Child Falls on the Playground and Has a Small