Justin F. is seen in the emergency department with an 8-cm jagged laceration on the dorsal surface of his right forearm. He says he was working with his brother-in-law yesterday morning building a deck on the back of his home. A pile of wooden planks fell on top of him, and he sustained a variety of cuts and superficial injuries. He cleaned the wound with soap and water but didnt want to go to the emergency room because he didnt want to risk being in the waiting room for hours. He wrapped up his arm and went back to work, and then took a normal shower and went to bed last night. This morning the cut on his arm was still flapping open, and he realized he needed sutures. The appropriate management of this patient includes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Local anesthesia, cleansing, and suture repair.
1. Local anesthesia is needed to numb the area before suturing.
2. Cleansing is necessary to prevent infection and remove debris.
3. Suture repair is required for a jagged laceration to promote proper wound healing and minimize scarring.
Other choices are incorrect:
A: Antibiotic therapy is not indicated for clean, non-infected wounds like this laceration.
B: Wound exploration for foreign bodies is not necessary in this case as the mechanism of injury is known and there is no indication of foreign bodies.
D: Tetanus prophylaxis is important but not directly related to the immediate management of the laceration.