Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

A 45-year-old male presents to the emergency department with increasing pain and redness around a laceration on his forearm that he sustained 3 days ago while working with sheet metal. The wound appears swollen and there is a purulent discharge. What is the most appropriate initial action in managing this infected wound?

  • Discharge the patient with oral antibiotics and a follow-up appointment.

  • Apply a sterile dressing without cleaning the wound.

  • Irrigate and possibly debride the wound, then assess the need for antibiotics.

  • Immediately administer intravenous antibiotics.

This question's topic:
BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) / 
Musculoskeletal and Wound Emergencies
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