The practical nurse (PN) is irrigating a client's wound. Which factor could delay wound healing as a result of wound irrigation?

The practical nurse (PN) is irrigating a client's wound. Which factor could delay wound healing as a result of wound irrigation?

• A. The use of povidone-iodine solution
• B. Hydrogen peroxide poured into the wound
• C. Direct force of irrigation solution on wound
• D. Irrigation solution cooler than room temperature

Answer: (B)

When cleaning a wound, preserving the cells that actually repair tissue is essential. Hydrogen peroxide released into the wound is highly cytotoxic; it generates reactive oxygen species that can injure and kill essential healing cells like fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and it can disrupt new granulation tissue. This damage slows the overall healing process, even though hydrogen peroxide can help lift debris. In contrast, using a dilute antiseptic such as povidone-iodine is gentler on healing tissue, and avoiding excessive mechanical trauma from the irrigation and not using very cold solutions helps prevent additional injury. Therefore, introducing hydrogen peroxide into the wound stands out as the factor most likely to delay healing.

When cleaning a wound, preserving the cells that actually repair tissue is essential. Hydrogen peroxide released into the wound is highly cytotoxic; it generates reactive oxygen species that can injure and kill essential healing cells like fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and it can disrupt new granulation tissue. This damage slows the overall healing process, even though hydrogen peroxide can help lift debris. In contrast, using a dilute antiseptic such as povidone-iodine is gentler on healing tissue, and avoiding excessive mechanical trauma from the irrigation and not using very cold solutions helps prevent additional injury. Therefore, introducing hydrogen peroxide into the wound stands out as the factor most likely to delay healing.