What should you do to prevent contamination when handling a wound?

• A. Use blunt instruments only
• B. Use clean, sterile dressings and wash hands before and after handling wounds
• C. Wash hands only after handling wounds
• D. Wear gloves but re-use them

Answer: (B)

Preventing contamination during wound care comes down to hygiene and using sterile materials. Wash your hands before touching the wound to remove any microbes you might carry and again after you finish to avoid transferring microbes. Use clean, sterile dressings to create a barrier between the wound and the environment, helping prevent infection as you dress and re-dress. Gloves can help, but they shouldn’t be reused, as reusing them can spread contamination. While using blunt instruments can reduce tissue damage, it doesn’t by itself prevent contamination, and washing hands only after handling misses the crucial step of cleaning up before contact. So the best practice is to wash hands before and after handling wounds and use clean, sterile dressings.