How should you perform a dressing change on a wound to minimize contamination?

• A. Skip washing hands if rushed.
• B. Use sterile technique only.
• C. Remove old dressing from most contaminated area first.
• D. Use clean technique; wash hands; apply clean gloves; remove old dressing from least to most contaminated; apply new dressing per policy.

Answer: (D)

Minimizing contamination comes from using clean technique and a careful sequence that keeps the wound as uncontaminated as possible. Start with thorough hand washing to remove germs, then put on clean gloves to create a barrier. Remove the old dressing starting at the edge farthest from the wound and work toward the edge closest to the wound so you don’t drag contaminants into the wound. After removing the old dressing, apply the new one according to facility policy, ensuring the wound area is clean and dry and that you dispose of used materials properly. This approach—hand hygiene, barrier protection, removal from least to most contaminated, and policy-based dressing application—helps keep contamination to a minimum during the change.