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?
Apply a sterile dressing without cleaning the wound.
Irrigate and possibly debride the wound, then assess the need for antibiotics.
Discharge the patient with oral antibiotics and a follow-up appointment.
The correct management of an infected wound involves irrigation and debridement to remove debris and reduce bacterial load. This is essential before any further interventions, such as antibiotics or dressing, can be effective. Irrigation helps to cleanse the wound, decreasing the chance of the infection worsening. Administering antibiotics without first cleaning the wound might not adequately address the source of the infection, and solely re-dressing the wound can trap pathogens inside, potentially worsening the infection.
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BCEN CEN
Musculoskeletal and Wound Emergencies
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