Which statement is appropriate for preventing wound infection in home care?

• A. Educate the patient about signs of wound infection.
• B. Incinerate soiled dressings.
• C. Evaluate healing by using the pressure ulcer staging system.
• D. Wait and see if infection develops.

Answer: (A)

Preventing wound infection in home care hinges on empowering the patient with knowledge to recognize early warning signs and know when to seek help. When a patient understands symptoms such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, new or worsening pain, purulent drainage, foul odor, or fever, they can report changes promptly. This enables timely assessment and treatment, which stops an infection from advancing and protects healing.

Incinerating soiled dressings isn’t safe or appropriate; proper disposal and standard infection-control practices should be followed. Using a pressure ulcer staging system is useful for assessing wound severity, but it does not prevent infection. Waiting to see if infection develops is not a preventive approach and can allow the infection to worsen.