What is the correct cleansing direction when cleaning a wound?

• A. From inside toward outside
• B. From outside toward inside
• C. In a circular motion
• D. From top to bottom only

Answer: (A)

When cleansing a wound, direct the cleaning from the clean area toward the dirty area, meaning you start at the wound bed and move outward toward the surrounding skin. This center-to-periphery approach helps prevent transferring bacteria from the outer, potentially contaminated skin into the wound, maintaining a cleaner wound environment and reducing the risk of infection. Using fresh gauze with each stroke and wiping in a single direction (center to outside) supports sterile technique. Cleansing from outside toward inside can push contaminants into the wound, and circular motions can spread debris or contaminate already-clean areas. The goal is a clean-to-dirty progression that minimizes recontamination and protects healing tissue.