What it means
A minor procedure, often done under local anesthesia, for a skin abscess, an infected cyst or a deeper collection. The provider cuts into it, drains the pus, washes it out and may pack the wound with gauze or place a drain so it heals from the inside out. A sample may be sent for a wound cultureWOOND KUL-cherA lab test that grows germs from a wound sample to find out which bacteria or fungi are there and which drugs will kill them.Full entry .
For the nurse
Change the packing and dressing as ordered using clean or sterile technique, note the amount and look of drainage, and teach the client signs of spreading infection: fever, red streaks or more pain.
At a glance
| Also written | incision and drainage |
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Related terms
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.
lesion
An area of tissue that has been damaged or has changed from normal, such as a sore, wound, lump or spot.
wound culture
A lab test that grows germs from a wound sample to find out which bacteria or fungi are there and which drugs will kill them.