For abdominal evisceration, which step should be performed first?

For abdominal evisceration, which step should be performed first?

• A. Big, bulky trauma dressing soaked in saline.
• B. Pick up organs and place them on top.
• C. Tape all four sides.
• D. Add occlusive dressing on top.

Answer: (A)

When abdominal evisceration occurs, the priority is to protect the exposed organs from drying out and from contamination. The first step is to cover the organs with a sterile dressing that is moistened with saline. This keeps the tissue moist, reduces further injury from air contact, and minimizes contamination, without attempting to replace or manipulate the organs. After this moisture-preserving layer, you’d typically add a bulky dressing to hold the coverings in place, followed by an occlusive dressing to seal the area. Options that involve replacing the organs, sealing too early, or adding occlusion before moisture protection don’t align with the immediate need to preserve the tissues and prevent contamination.

When abdominal evisceration occurs, the priority is to protect the exposed organs from drying out and from contamination. The first step is to cover the organs with a sterile dressing that is moistened with saline. This keeps the tissue moist, reduces further injury from air contact, and minimizes contamination, without attempting to replace or manipulate the organs. After this moisture-preserving layer, you’d typically add a bulky dressing to hold the coverings in place, followed by an occlusive dressing to seal the area. Options that involve replacing the organs, sealing too early, or adding occlusion before moisture protection don’t align with the immediate need to preserve the tissues and prevent contamination.