WOUND IRRIGATION REVIEWER
1. A wound care nurse is reviewing skin anatomy with a group of medical nurses. Which
area of the skin would the nurse identify as providing a cushion between the skin layers,
muscles, and bones?
❌A) Dermis – contains blood vessels, nerves, glands, but not the cushion.
✅B) Subcutaneous tissue – provides cushioning and insulation between skin, muscle,
and bone.
❌C) Epidermis – outer protective layer.
❌D) Stratum Corneum – topmost layer of epidermis only, barrier function.
2. A patient diagnosed with a stasis ulcer has been hospitalized. There is an order to
change the dressing and provide wound care. Which activity should the nurse first
perform when providing wound care?
❌A) Assess the drainage in the dressing – important but not the first step.
❌B) Slowly remove the soiled dressing – done after hand hygiene.
❌C) Don non-latex gloves – comes after handwashing.
✅D) Perform hand hygiene – first step in any nursing procedure to prevent infection.
3. Which solution is commonly used for wound irrigation due to its gentle nature and
effectiveness?
❌A) Hydrogen peroxide – cytotoxic to healthy cells.
✅B) Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) – safe, isotonic, gentle, gold standard.
❌C) Rubbing alcohol – too harsh, damages tissue.
❌D) Povidone Iodine – antiseptic but can damage tissue if used repeatedly.
4. When irrigating a wound, what is the recommended pressure range to use for
effective cleaning without causing tissue damage?
❌A) 1-4 psi – too low, ineffective cleaning.
✅B) 5-10 psi – optimal range, cleans without damaging tissue.
❌C) 15-20 psi – too high, risks damaging tissue.
❌D) 25-30 psi – far too high, harmful.
5. Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice during wound irrigation?
✅A) Using a syringe to control the flow of irrigation fluid – recommended.
❌B) Applying high pressure to force fluid into the wound – not recommended, can
cause tissue damage.
✅C) Irrigating until the fluid runs clear – recommended.
✅D) Using a sterile technique throughout the procedure – essential.
6. What should you do if a wound shows signs of infection, such as increased redness,
warmth, or pus, after irrigation?
❌ A) Continue with regular irrigation and wait for improvement – infection needs
assessment.
❌B) Apply an antiseptic ointment and cover the wound – not enough, requires
medical evaluation.
✅C) Contact a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment – best
action.
❌D) Use a stronger irrigation solution – not safe without orders.
7. Which type of wound is particularly sensitive to high-pressure irrigation and should be
handled with extra care?
❌A) A minor cut – simple, not as sensitive.
❌B) A surgical wound – needs care but not as pressure-sensitive.
❌C) A pressure ulcer – delicate, but not as sensitive as burns.
✅D) A burn wound – very sensitive, high pressure can worsen tissue damage.
8. In what situation might an antimicrobial solution be preferred over normal saline for
wound irrigation?
❌A) For routine cleaning of all wounds – saline is enough.
✅B) For wounds with signs of infection or high risk of infection.
❌C) For wounds that are already healing well – no need.
❌D) For small, superficial wounds – saline works fine.
9. What is the most important consideration when choosing an irrigation solution for a
wound?
❌A) The color of the solution – not relevant.
❌B) The cost of the solution – secondary.
✅C) The potential for allergic reactions – patient safety first.
❌D) The solution’s ability to clean without harming the tissue – important, but tissue
safety outweighs.
10. What is the most appropriate action if there is visible debris or foreign material in a
wound before irrigation?
❌A) Leave the debris in place and proceed with irrigation – delays healing.
✅B) Remove the debris gently with sterile tweezers or forceps before irrigation – best
practice.
❌C) Rinse the wound without attempting to remove the debris – may not clear debris.
❌D) Apply a dry dressing and seek medical advice – wound won’t be cleaned.
11. Which of the following statements about wound irrigation is true?
❌A) Irrigation should always be done with high-pressure force to ensure thorough
cleaning – causes harm.
❌B) Irrigation is most effective when done with the same solution repeatedly until the
wound is clean – not necessarily.
✅C) The type of irrigation solution used can affect wound healing, so it should be
chosen based on the wound's condition.
❌D) Wound irrigation should only be performed by healthcare professionals in all
cases – caregivers can do it with training.
12. What is the recommended frequency of wound irrigation for a chronic wound with no
signs of infection?
❌A) Once a day – depends on wound.
❌B) Every other day – not fixed.
❌C) Only when visibly dirty – inconsistent care.
✅D) As directed by a healthcare provider – frequency must be individualized.
13. Which of the following is NOT a common sign of an infected wound that might
require more intensive management?
✅A) Increased pain and swelling – common sign.
✅B) Foul odor from the wound – infection sign.
❌C) Presence of a thin, clear fluid – usually normal wound drainage.
✅D) Redness and warmth around the wound – infection signs.
14. When using a syringe for wound irrigation, what is the recommended method to
ensure proper fluid flow?
❌A) Aim the syringe directly at the wound with high force – damages tissue.
✅B) Maintain a distance of 1-2 inches from the wound surface and apply steady,
gentle pressure – safe and effective.
❌C) Use a quick, pulsating motion to irrigate the wound – may not be controlled.
❌D) Use a large-volume syringe to flush out the wound in one go – too harsh.
15. For wounds with extensive necrotic tissue, which irrigation method is often
employed to help remove dead tissue?
❌A) Manual irrigation with gauze – not strong enough.
✅B) Pulsatile lavage – delivers irrigation in pulses, helps debride necrotic tissue.
❌C) Continuous drip irrigation – not effective for necrosis.
❌D) Hydrotherapy – used for larger or burn wounds but not specific to necrotic tissue.