What complication of wound healing is an abnormal passage that connects two body cavities or a cavity and the skin?

Choice A reason: Cleansing the skin around the pins is the action that the nurse takes first, because it is the most urgent and relevant action. Cleansing the skin around the pins is a procedure that involves removing any dirt, debris, or secretions from the pin sites, which can help prevent or treat infection, inflammation, or pain. Cleansing the skin around the pins is a priority intervention, as it can reduce the risk of complications, such as osteomyelitis, sepsis, or pin loosening.

Choice B reason: Collecting a culture of the purulent fluid is not the action that the nurse takes first, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Collecting a culture of the purulent fluid is a procedure that involves obtaining a sample of the pus from the pin sites and sending it to the laboratory for analysis, which can help identify the type and source of infection. Collecting a culture of the purulent fluid is an important intervention, but it should be done after cleansing the skin around the pins, and with a medical order and a sterile technique.

Choice C reason: Administering an antibiotic is not the action that the nurse takes first, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Administering an antibiotic is a procedure that involves giving the client an antimicrobial agent, which can help fight or prevent infection. Administering an antibiotic is an important intervention, but it should be done after cleansing the skin around the pins, and with a medical order and a proper route.

Choice D reason: Instructing the client to complete exercises of the affected extremity is not the action that the nurse takes first, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Instructing the client to complete exercises of the affected extremity is a procedure that involves teaching the client how to move and strengthen the muscles and joints of the limb in traction, which can help prevent or treat atrophy, contracture, or thrombosis. Instructing the client to complete exercises of the affected extremity is an important intervention, but it should be done after cleansing the skin around the pins, and with a medical order and a safe technique.

Choice A reason: Purulent exudate is a thick, yellowgreen, or brown pus that indicates infection. It is not bloodtinged and does not drip from the wound.

Choice B reason: Serous exudate is a clear, thin, and watery fluid that is normal in the inflammatory stage of wound healing. It does not contain blood cells and is not red in color.

Choice C reason: Serosanguineous exudate is a pink or red fluid that contains both serum and blood. It is common in the proliferative stage of wound healing and may drip from the wound due to increased capillary permeability.

Choice D reason: Sanguineous exudate is a bright or dark red fluid that consists mostly of blood. It indicates active bleeding and is usually seen in traumatic or surgical wounds. It is not diluted with serum and is more viscous than serosanguineous exudate.