💊 NCLEX-RN Exam Prep

To reduce the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) in a post-operative patient, which instruction is most important for the nurse to include in discharge teaching?

A Keep the surgical incision covered with a dry dressing at all times.
B Report any redness, swelling, or drainage from the incision site.
C Change your dressing daily using clean tap water.
D Avoid showering until your first post-op appointment.

✓ Correct Answer: Option B

Educating the patient to recognize and report signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, fever) is crucial for early detection and intervention, significantly reducing the risk of a serious surgical site infection.

💡 Why is B) the correct answer?

The correct answer to the question "To reduce the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) in a post-operative patient, which instruction is most important for the nurse to include in discharge teaching?" is Option B: Report any redness, swelling, or drainage from the incision site..

The other options — A) Keep the surgical incision covered with a dry dressing at all times., C) Change your dressing daily using clean tap water., D) Avoid showering until your first post-op appointment. — are incorrect for this NCLEX-RN Exam Prep question. As explained above: Educating the patient to recognize and report signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, fever) is crucial for early detection and intervention, significantly reducing the risk of a ser…

📚 About This NCLEX-RN Exam Prep Practice Question

This 2-level NCLEX-RN Exam Prep question from the Safe & Effective Care topic is part of BrainForge Quiz's free exam preparation library. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed explanation to help you understand the underlying concept, not just memorize the answer.

How to use this page: Read the question above, consider all four options (A through D), then check the highlighted correct answer and explanation. For active timed practice, start a free NCLEX-RN Exam Prep practice test or use flashcards for spaced repetition review.

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