Which action is appropriate for acute laceration management?

Which action is appropriate for acute laceration management?

• A. Decrease IV flow rate
• B. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
• C. Place an ice pack directly on the laceration site
• D. Administer oral ibuprofen

Answer: (C)

Managing an acute laceration focuses on stopping bleeding and limiting tissue damage from swelling. Applying cold to the injury causes blood vessels to constrict, which reduces blood flow to the area and helps minimize both bleeding and edema. This makes a cold pack a direct and effective first step in acute wound care. In practice, the ice should be wrapped to protect the skin and underlying tissue. The other actions don’t address the immediate needs of the wound: changing IV flow rate isn’t related to the local injury, inserting a urinary catheter isn’t indicated for a laceration, and taking ibuprofen can interfere with clotting and may worsen bleeding.

Managing an acute laceration focuses on stopping bleeding and limiting tissue damage from swelling. Applying cold to the injury causes blood vessels to constrict, which reduces blood flow to the area and helps minimize both bleeding and edema. This makes a cold pack a direct and effective first step in acute wound care. In practice, the ice should be wrapped to protect the skin and underlying tissue.

The other actions don’t address the immediate needs of the wound: changing IV flow rate isn’t related to the local injury, inserting a urinary catheter isn’t indicated for a laceration, and taking ibuprofen can interfere with clotting and may worsen bleeding.