Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) Practice Exam

What is the most appropriate cleansing solution for an infected wound?

1. Normal saline

2. Povidone-iodine (Betadine)

3. Commercial topical antiseptic

4. Dakin's solution

The correct answer is: Normal saline

Normal saline is considered the most appropriate cleansing solution for an infected wound because it is isotonic, which means it maintains the balance of fluids in the wound environment without causing cell damage or irritation. It effectively washes away debris, exudate, and bacteria without adversely affecting tissue viability. This is crucial in wound care, especially when dealing with infection, because maintaining healthy tissue is essential for healing. Using saline minimizes the risk of introducing additional irritants or toxins that could worsen the wound condition. It is also non-cytotoxic, making it suitable for routine cleansing of wounds without compromising the integrity of healing tissue. Other solutions, while potentially useful in certain contexts, may not provide the same level of safety for the surrounding healthy tissue. Povidone-iodine, commercial topical antiseptics, and Dakin's solution can be effective in specific situations or types of wounds but may have detrimental effects on healing tissue or introduce toxicity, which is not ideal for routine wound cleansing. Thus, normal saline remains the gold standard for this purpose.