The nurse changes a postoperative abdominal dressing. Which action best reduces the risk of a surgical site infection?
1Reuse clean gloves after removing the soiled dressing.
2Perform hand hygiene and maintain aseptic technique during dressing change.✓ Correct answer
3Place the sterile dressing supplies directly on the client's bed linens.
4Clean from the outer wound edge toward the incision line.
Explanation
Hand hygiene and aseptic technique are central to preventing contamination during wound care. Soiled gloves should not be reused, and sterile supplies should remain protected. Cleaning generally proceeds from cleaner to dirtier areas according to wound policy.
Clinical Judgment Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits Surgical wound asepsis.
Memory Tip Match the strongest cue cluster to the safest nursing judgment.
KR vs US NCLEX items reward cue-based priority thinking rather than isolated recall.
Clinical Practice GuideFor Surgical wound asepsis, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.
CautionDo not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.
Surgical Site Infection — An infection occurring at or near a surgical incision.
Aseptic Technique — Practices that reduce contamination by microorganisms.
Dressing Change — Removal and replacement of wound covering using appropriate technique.