A patient with a sacral pressure ulcer; to reduce infection risk, which intervention is appropriate?

• A. Obtaining a wound culture as needed
• B. Irrigating and cleansing the wound with saline twice a day
• C. Repositioning the patient at least every 90 minutes
• D. Packing the open wound with antibiotic solution-moistened gauze

Answer: (C)

Relieving pressure on the sacral area by repositioning the patient at least every 90 minutes helps prevent further tissue ischemia and necrosis. When pressure is relieved, blood flow to the healing tissue improves, reducing the chance that the wound becomes infected. Keeping the area off loading points also minimizes moisture buildup and friction, both of which can worsen skin breakdown and create a breeding ground for bacteria. This proactive way of caring for a pressure ulcer is the most effective way to lower infection risk.

Obtaining a wound culture is a diagnostic step used when there are signs of infection, not a preventive measure. Irrigating and cleansing with saline can be part of wound care, but doing it twice daily isn’t the primary strategy for infection prevention and can disrupt healing if not done properly. Packing the wound with antibiotic solution–moistened gauze introduces antibiotics into the wound, which is not routinely indicated and may cause irritation or antibiotic resistance without proven benefit for reducing infection risk in most cases.