Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) Practice Exam

Cleaning a wound site from the center outwards is an effective method to prevent the entry of microorganisms. This technique is based on the principle of reducing the risk of infection by minimizing the transfer of bacteria from potentially contaminated surrounding skin into the wound itself. When cleaning a wound, starting at the center allows for removing contaminants in a manner that keeps the most sterile part of the process closest to the wound. This helps ensure that any microbes or debris on the skin are moved away from the area where they could enter the body. It effectively reduces the microbial load as you move outward, restricting potential pathogens from being pulled into the wound site. In contrast, cleaning from the outside towards the center can inadvertently push contaminants from the surrounding skin into the wound, increasing the risk of infection. Circular motions may not provide a consistent approach, and a random manner of cleaning does not follow established infection control protocols, which could also compromise the integrity of the wound cleaning process.