(7)
Pack the wound loosely with a dressing soaked with povidone-iodine
solution.
(8)
Cover the packing with a dry, sterile dressing.
(9)
Reclean and dress the wound every 24 hours.
d. Wound on Extremity. If the wound is on an arm or leg, splint the wound and
elevate the arm or leg. Elevating such an extremity increases blood circulation thus
aiding in the healing process.
e. Local Wound Procedures. Do not suture the wound closed. Follow this
procedure to care for a local wound:
(1)
Cleanse the surrounding skin with surgical soap and water.
(2)
Shave the surrounding area.
(3)
Irrigate the wound profusely with sterile saline in a syringe.
(4) Apply antiseptic solution to the surrounding skin. These steps are taken
in an effort to prevent infection. Skin and mucous membranes normally have
microorganisms on them. To reduce the risk of transferring these microorganisms to
the wound, disinfectant is used on and around the wound.
(5) Remove foreign matter and dead tissue as early as possible, preferably
within the first eight hours after injury. Remove only enough skin tissue as necessary.
Remove only the edges of fascia (connective tissue that covers the body under the
skin). Remove dead muscle tissue extensively. This dead tissue will be darker, black
or purple, will not contract, and will not bleed when cut. Continue removing such tissue
until blood oozes. At that point, you will know that you have hit live tissue, and you
should stop removing tissue.
1-4.
SPECIFIC WOUND CARE
a. Abrasion.
(1) Description. Friction or scraping causes an abraded wound or an
abrasion. This type of wound is superficial. The outer layers of skin or mucous
membrane have been damaged or scraped off. A person falling on his knees on a
sidewalk will suffer an abrasion.
MD0576
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