What is the first action the nurse should take when irrigating a wound?

• A. Remove old wound dressing and discard in biohazard
• B. Prepare new dressing materials
• C. Assess the wound for any signs of infection
• D. Wash hands and put on gloves

Answer: (A)

When irrigating a wound, the first action the nurse should take is to wash hands and put on gloves. This step is crucial for maintaining asepsis and preventing infection. Proper hand hygiene helps to ensure that the nurse does not introduce additional pathogens into the wound during the irrigation process.

In wound care, the sequence of actions is important. After performing hand hygiene and wearing gloves, the nurse can safely proceed with removing the old dressing and discarding it in a biohazard container. Following this, the assessment of the wound can be carried out, along with preparing new dressing materials. However, without the first step of ensuring personal protection and cleanliness, the subsequent actions could compromise the patient’s safety and the effectiveness of the wound care.

Thus, the correct first action sets the foundation for a safe and effective wound irrigation process.