Kaplan NCLEX Question of The Day Related

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While performing wound care to a donor skin graft site, the nurse notes some scabbing at the edges and a black collection of blood. What is the nurse's next action?

  • A. Leave the scabbed area alone and apply extra ointment
  • B. Notify the physician
  • C. Gently remove the debris and re-dress the wound
  • D. Apply skin softening lotion for 3 hours and then re-dress
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When the nurse notes scabbing at the edges and a black collection of blood, it indicates the presence of debris that needs to be addressed. Leaving the scabbed area alone and applying extra ointment may not address the underlying issue and could lead to complications. Notifying the physician is important in some cases, but immediate action is required to prevent infection in this situation. Gently removing the debris and re-dressing the wound is the correct course of action to promote healing and prevent complications.