Clinical Skills Exam|Complete and A+ Graded
Aftercare for sutures
Instruct patient to watch for bleeding, infection, scarring. Keep clean. Advise when to return for
suture removal.
Contraindication for sutures
cellulitis, bleeding disorders, deep puncture wound, infected skin, grossly contaminated wounds
Indication for sutures
superficial wounds
Suture check off skills
● Wash or sanitize hands.
● Inquire as to patient's tetanus status, presence of latex allergy or use of anti-clotting medications.
● Describe/simulate sterile cleansing and draping of the area.
● State they would local anesthesia
● Select appropriate size punch, hold the skin taut perpendicular to lines of tension
● Hold punch perpendicular to skin and apply downward pressure rotating punch
● Remove punch, lift specimen with forceps and cut at base with scissors
● Place specimen in specimen container
● Adequately close the wound with evenly placed, properly spaced sutures if needed. Apply dressing.
● Safely manage and dispose of sharps
After suturing is complete, what should you do?
After suturing is complete, clean site
Apply dressing
Consider if patient need tetanus vaccine or any antibiotic
Face sutures should be removed in how many days?
5
Eyelid sutures should be removed in how many days?
5 days (3 days for low-tension wounds and up to 7 days for high-tension wounds
Neck sutures should be removed in how many days?
5
Scalp sutures should be removed in how many days?
7-10
Trunk and upper extremity sutures should be removed in how many days?
7
Lower extremity should be removed in how many days?
8-10
Aftercare for sutures
Instruct patient to watch for bleeding, infection, scarring. Keep clean. Advise when to return for
suture removal.
Contraindication for sutures
cellulitis, bleeding disorders, deep puncture wound, infected skin, grossly contaminated wounds
Indication for sutures
superficial wounds
Suture check off skills
● Wash or sanitize hands.
● Inquire as to patient's tetanus status, presence of latex allergy or use of anti-clotting medications.
● Describe/simulate sterile cleansing and draping of the area.
● State they would local anesthesia
● Select appropriate size punch, hold the skin taut perpendicular to lines of tension
● Hold punch perpendicular to skin and apply downward pressure rotating punch
● Remove punch, lift specimen with forceps and cut at base with scissors
● Place specimen in specimen container
● Adequately close the wound with evenly placed, properly spaced sutures if needed. Apply dressing.
● Safely manage and dispose of sharps
After suturing is complete, what should you do?
After suturing is complete, clean site
Apply dressing
Consider if patient need tetanus vaccine or any antibiotic
Face sutures should be removed in how many days?
5
Eyelid sutures should be removed in how many days?
5 days (3 days for low-tension wounds and up to 7 days for high-tension wounds
Neck sutures should be removed in how many days?
5
Scalp sutures should be removed in how many days?
7-10
Trunk and upper extremity sutures should be removed in how many days?
7
Lower extremity should be removed in how many days?
8-10
