A Pressure Dressing Is Applied to the Face and Neck

A pressure dressing is applied to the face and neck of a patient following an elective rhytidectomy performed in an outpatient surgical center. The patient tells the nurse that the dressing feels very restrictive and asks whether it can be loosened. When explaining the purpose of the dressing, which response by the nurse is accurate?

A) "The dressing will reduce the risk for swelling and prolonged healing at the site."
B) "The dressing will protect against infection, a common problem after this type of surgery."
C) "The surgical site will be very painful if the dressing is removed too soon after surgery."
D) "The edges of the incisions will tend to come apart if the dressing is loosened too soon."