EVALUATION OF AN ACUTE WOUND

KEY FIGURE:
Irrigating a wound


This chapter explains the basics for evaluation and treatment of an
acute wound. Proper evaluation helps to determine the appropriate
next step—formal wound exploration or wound closure.
The first step is to control blood loss and evaluate the need for other
emergency procedures (see chapter 5, “Evaluation of the Acutely
Injured Patient”). The second step is to obtain a thorough history
about the patient and the events surrounding the injury.