The nurse is concerned that the client’s midsternal wound is at risk f

The nurse is concerned that the client’s midsternal wound is at risk for dehiscence. Which of the following is the best intervention to prevent this complication?

1. Administering antibiotics to prevent infection
2. Using appropriate sterile technique when changing the dressing
3. Keeping sterile towels and extra dressing supplies near the client’s bed
4. Placing a pillow over the incision site when the client is deep breathing or cough-ing

ANSWER

ANS: 4
A strategy to prevent dehiscence is to use a folded thin blanket or pillow placed over an ab-dominal wound when the client is coughing. This provides a splint to the area, supporting the healing tissue when coughing increases the intraabdominal pressure. A client who has an infec-tion is at risk for poor wound healing and dehiscence. However, prophylactic use of antibiotics is not the best intervention to prevent dehiscence. Using appropriate sterile technique is always im-portant to prevent the development of infection but is not the best intervention to prevent dehis-cence.