Which practices are essential for sterile wound dressing in athletic settings?

• A. Hand hygiene, sterile gloves for sterile tasks, sterile dressings, avoid cross-contamination
• B. Wearing the same gloves for all patients to save time
• C. Using non-sterile dressings and reusing old dressings
• D. Washing hands with soap only after wound dressing is complete

Answer: (A)

Sterile wound care rests on aseptic technique to prevent infection. This means cleaning hands thoroughly before touching the wound, using sterile gloves for any steps that involve direct contact with the wound or sterile materials, and applying sterile dressings so nothing contaminated comes into contact with the wound. Keeping surfaces and procedures free from cross-contamination is essential, so gloves should be changed between patients and between steps that involve different wounds or environments.

That combination is the best because it directly targets preventing introduction and spread of pathogens during dressing changes. Waving away gloves between patients, reusing non-sterile dressings, or washing hands only after finishing the dressing can all introduce or spread contamination, undermining the aseptic process.