What is the last step in wound evaluation, if needed?

What is the last step in wound evaluation, if needed?

• A. Anesthetize
• B. Control bleeding
• C. Antibiotics
• D. Closure (if needed)

Answer: (D)

The last step, if closure is appropriate, is to close the wound. After you’ve completed cleaning, irrigation, debridement, and confirming tissue viability and hemostasis, you decide whether the wound edges can be approximated. If the wound is clean with viable tissue and no contamination risk, closure with sutures, staples, or adhesive restores integrity and supports healing. Closing at the end ensures you’ve removed debris and reduced infection risk before apposing tissue. If the wound is dirty or high-risk for infection, closure may be delayed or avoided, and wound care or dressing becomes the final step.

The last step, if closure is appropriate, is to close the wound. After you’ve completed cleaning, irrigation, debridement, and confirming tissue viability and hemostasis, you decide whether the wound edges can be approximated. If the wound is clean with viable tissue and no contamination risk, closure with sutures, staples, or adhesive restores integrity and supports healing. Closing at the end ensures you’ve removed debris and reduced infection risk before apposing tissue. If the wound is dirty or high-risk for infection, closure may be delayed or avoided, and wound care or dressing becomes the final step.