During wound assessment, the nurse suspects a narrow tunnel extending from the wound cavity. Which action provides the most accurate assessment?

Correct answer: A. Gently assess the tract with a sterile applicator and document its direction

  • A. Gently assess the tract with a sterile applicator and document its direction
  • B. Insert a finger forcefully until resistance is felt
  • C. Pack the tract tightly before recording its length
  • D. Estimate the tract from the amount of drainage present

Explanation

A sterile applicator can gently identify the direction and extent of tunnelling without forcing tissue apart. The nurse should document the depth and direction, often using the clock-face method. Forceful probing and estimation from drainage can cause injury or produce inaccurate findings.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? support@testustad.com

About Wound Care and Dressings

Wound care covers wound classification, healing stages, assessment of tissue and drainage, pain, infection signs, dressing selection and clean or sterile dressing technique. It also includes pressure injuries by stage and the factors affecting healing, such as nutrition, circulation, diabetes, infection and prolonged pressure.

Practise Wound Care and Dressings

50 free Wound Care and Dressings MCQs from Fundamentals of Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Discussion

Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.

No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.

Exams that ask Fundamentals of Nursing questions like this

Fundamentals of Nursing is on 9 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

More Wound Care and Dressings questions