A patient reports prickling and itchiness around a surgical incision soon after dressing change. What is the correct first step?

A patient reports prickling and itchiness around a surgical incision soon after dressing change. What is the correct first step?

• A. Remove the dressing and assess the skin area around the incision.
• B. Administer analgesia for prickling and itchiness.
• C. Inform the patient that this is a normal sensation after surgery.
• D. Notify the doctor of prickling and itchiness around the incision.

Answer: (A)

When a patient reports prickling and itchiness soon after a dressing change, the first priority is to inspect the wound and the surrounding skin. Removing the dressing allows you to directly assess for issues such as dressing-tightness or pressure on the incision, adhesive irritation or dermatitis, and any signs of infection or wound problems (redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, or odor). This hands‑on assessment helps identify the cause of the uncomfortable sensation and guides the next steps—whether that’s adjusting or changing the dressing, using a non-adherent or hypoallergenic product, or notifying the clinician if there are concerning findings. Providing analgesia or labeling the sensation as normal would not address a potential complication without first inspecting the area.

When a patient reports prickling and itchiness soon after a dressing change, the first priority is to inspect the wound and the surrounding skin. Removing the dressing allows you to directly assess for issues such as dressing-tightness or pressure on the incision, adhesive irritation or dermatitis, and any signs of infection or wound problems (redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, or odor). This hands‑on assessment helps identify the cause of the uncomfortable sensation and guides the next steps—whether that’s adjusting or changing the dressing, using a non-adherent or hypoallergenic product, or notifying the clinician if there are concerning findings. Providing analgesia or labeling the sensation as normal would not address a potential complication without first inspecting the area.