A presurgical client asks the nurse why it seems “so easy to get an in

A presurgical client asks the nurse why it seems “so easy to get an infection in the wound” after surgery. The nurse’s most appropriate response to this question is:

1. “The contaminated dressing acts as a breeding ground for microorganisms that then infect the wound.”
2. “The body’s immune system is weakened by the surgery and can’t fight off the infection as effectively.”
3. “While infections occur, there are many very effective antibiotics available to help minimize the risk of that happening.”
4. “The surgical wound provides the microorganisms on the surrounding skin a path to enter deep into the body’s tissues.”

ANSWER

ANS: 4
Resident skin microorganisms are not virulent. However, they can cause serious infection when surgery or other invasive procedures allow them to enter deep tissues. While the other options are not incorrect, they do not answer the client’s question as effectively.