Nursing Diagnoses for Preventing Infection and Improving Post-Op Wound Care

Wound care is a critical aspect of healthcare, especially in the post-operative setting. A wound, defined as any damage to the skin, tissues, or organs, compromises the body’s first line of defense, making patients vulnerable to infection. For healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, understanding and implementing effective strategies to prevent infection and optimize post-operative care is paramount. This involves accurate assessment, timely intervention, and a strong focus on Nursing Diagnosis For Preventing Infection And Improving Post Op Care.

Understanding Wound Infections

Infection occurs when pathogenic microorganisms breach the body’s defenses, typically through a compromised skin barrier, and overwhelm the immune system. Wound infections are a significant concern, especially post-surgery, and can arise from various factors, including inadequate aseptic techniques, contamination, and patient-specific conditions. Individuals with chronic illnesses like diabetes mellitus or HIV, which weaken the immune response and hinder healing, are at a heightened risk of developing wound infections.

Untreated wound infections can escalate into serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, such as cellulitis, sepsis, or necrotizing fasciitis. Therefore, proactive prevention and early intervention are crucial.

The Wound Healing Process and its Implications for Infection Prevention

The body’s natural process of tissue restoration, known as wound healing, commences immediately after injury. Any disruption or delay in this intricate process can significantly increase the risk of infection. Wound healing progresses through four distinct phases:

• Hemostasis (Immediate): This initial phase is characterized by the body’s attempt to stop bleeding. Blood vessels constrict, coagulation pathways are activated, and platelets aggregate to form a clot, effectively sealing the wound.
• Inflammation (0-4 days): The immune system’s response is triggered, with neutrophils and macrophages migrating to the wound site to combat potential infection. This phase is clinically marked by swelling, redness, heat, and pain. While essential for healing, excessive or prolonged inflammation can impede the subsequent phases.
• Proliferation (2-24 days): This phase is marked by the formation of granulation tissue, a matrix of new connective tissue and blood vessels, which fills the wound bed. Epithelial cells migrate to cover the wound surface, a process known as epithelialization.
• Maturation (24+ days): Also known as remodeling, this is the longest phase where collagen is reorganized and strengthened, increasing the tensile strength of the wound. Scar tissue forms as a result of this process.

Understanding these phases is essential for nurses in formulating nursing diagnosis for preventing infection and improving post op care. Interventions should be tailored to support each phase and address potential barriers to healing, thereby minimizing infection risk, especially in post-operative wounds.

Types of Wound Healing and Infection Risk

Wound healing can occur through different mechanisms, each carrying varying risks of infection, particularly relevant in post-operative care:

• Primary Intention: This occurs when wound edges are approximated and closed, typically using sutures, staples, adhesive strips, or surgical glue. Surgical incisions and clean lacerations are often managed with primary intention closure. This method generally carries the lowest risk of infection due to the closed nature of the wound.
• Secondary Intention: This method is employed when wound edges cannot be easily approximated, often due to tissue loss or infection. The wound heals from the base upwards, filling with granulation tissue. Examples include pressure ulcers and wounds left open to drain infection. Secondary intention healing has a higher risk of infection compared to primary intention due to the prolonged exposure and open wound bed.
• Tertiary Intention (Delayed Primary Closure): This approach is used when a wound is initially left open, often to manage infection or edema. Once the infection is controlled and the wound bed is clean, it is then closed, usually by sutures. Tertiary intention is often used for contaminated wounds or wounds with significant tissue loss and carries a moderate to high risk of infection depending on the initial wound condition.

Factors Affecting Wound Healing and Increasing Infection Susceptibility

Numerous factors can influence the body’s ability to heal and, consequently, increase the susceptibility to post-operative wound infections. Nurses must be vigilant in assessing and addressing these factors as part of their nursing diagnosis for preventing infection and improving post op care:

• Nutritional Status: Adequate nutrition, particularly protein, vitamins (especially Vitamin C), and minerals, is crucial for tissue repair and immune function. Malnutrition impairs wound healing and increases infection risk.
• Stress: Psychological and physiological stress can negatively impact the immune system and delay wound healing.
• Comorbidities: Underlying health conditions such as diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and immunocompromising conditions significantly impair wound healing and elevate infection risk.
• Age: Both very young and older patients have compromised immune systems and slower healing rates, making them more vulnerable to infection.
• Obesity: Obesity is associated with impaired circulation, increased inflammation, and higher risk of surgical site infections.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, chemotherapy drugs, and immunosuppressants, can suppress the immune system and delay wound healing, increasing infection susceptibility.
• Alcohol Use: Excessive alcohol consumption can impair immune function and wound healing.
• Smoking: Smoking impairs circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues, significantly hindering wound healing and increasing infection risk.
• Friction and Shearing Forces: These forces can damage the skin and underlying tissues, creating entry points for pathogens and delaying healing, particularly relevant in pressure ulcer development.
• Poor Mobility: Immobility reduces circulation and increases pressure on certain areas, predisposing to pressure ulcers and hindering overall wound healing.
• Knowledge Deficits: Lack of understanding regarding proper wound care and infection prevention measures can lead to suboptimal self-care practices and increased infection risk.

Alt Text: Detailed illustration of wound assessment parameters, including location, size, depth, drainage, wound bed characteristics, edges, surrounding skin, and signs of infection. This visual aid emphasizes the comprehensive nature of wound evaluation by nurses.

The Nursing Process: A Framework for Preventing Post-Operative Wound Infections

The nursing process provides a systematic approach to patient care, and it is particularly valuable in nursing diagnosis for preventing infection and improving post op care. It involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Nursing Assessment: Identifying Risk Factors and Signs of Infection

A thorough nursing assessment is the cornerstone of effective wound care and infection prevention, especially in the post-operative period. This involves gathering both subjective and objective data.

Review of Health History: Uncovering Predisposing Factors

• General Symptoms of Infection: Nurses should proactively inquire about and observe for signs and symptoms indicative of wound infection. These include:

  • Purulent discharge (pus) from the wound
  • Skin discoloration (erythema, increased redness)
  • Swelling (edema)
  • Foul odor emanating from the wound
  • Increased warmth, tenderness, pain, or inflammation around the wound site
  • Systemic signs of infection, which may indicate a more severe condition, such as fever, chills, and lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) near the wound.

• Underlying Cause of the Wound: Understanding the etiology of the wound is crucial. Post-operative wounds, traumatic wounds, pressure ulcers, and other types of wounds have different risk profiles and require tailored care. Factors to consider include:

  • Wound size, depth, and characteristics (e.g., jagged edges)
  • Presence of foreign material (dirt, saliva) in the wound, as in cases of trauma or bites
  • Mechanism of injury (e.g., penetrating injury with a contaminated object).

• Medical Risk Factors: Identifying pre-existing conditions is vital for risk stratification and targeted interventions:

  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Immunosuppression (due to conditions like HIV or medications)
  • Renal failure
  • Obesity
  • Advanced age
  • Neuropathy
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

• Surgical History: For post-operative patients, surgical details are highly relevant to infection risk:

  • Type and duration of surgery
  • Surgical technique employed
  • Length of hospital stay pre- and post-surgery
  • Any intraoperative contamination events
  • Hypothermia during surgery.

• Medication Review: A comprehensive medication history is necessary to identify drugs that may impair wound healing or increase infection risk:

  • Immunosuppressants
  • Hydroxyurea
  • Chemotherapeutic agents
  • Steroids
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

• Nutritional Status Assessment: Assessing nutritional intake is essential as it directly impacts wound healing:

  • Dietary protein intake
  • Vitamin and mineral intake
  • Hydration status.

Physical Assessment: Direct Wound Examination

• Wound Type Determination: Accurate identification of the wound type guides appropriate wound care management. Common wound types include:

  • Surgical wounds (incisions)
  • Traumatic wounds (lacerations, abrasions, punctures)
  • Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
  • Diabetic foot ulcers
  • Venous stasis ulcers
  • Arterial ulcers
  • Skin tears.

• Detailed Wound Documentation: Consistent and thorough wound assessment and documentation are crucial, typically performed with each dressing change or as per facility protocols. Key parameters to document include:

  • Wound location on the body
  • Wound size (length, width, and depth in centimeters)
  • Presence and type of drainage (exudate): serous, sanguinous, serosanguinous, purulent
  • Wound bed characteristics: presence of granulation tissue (healthy, red), slough (yellow/tan, stringy), eschar (black, necrotic)
  • Wound edges: approximated, unapproximated, rolled, epibole
  • Periwound skin (skin surrounding the wound): erythema, edema, maceration, induration
  • Presence of tunneling (channels extending from the wound) or undermining (tissue destruction under intact skin at wound edges)
  • Signs of infection (as listed previously).

• T.I.M.E. Framework for Wound Assessment: The acronym T.I.M.E. provides a structured approach to wound assessment:

  • Tissue: Evaluate tissue type in the wound bed. Epithelial tissue (pink and resurfacing) and granulation tissue (red and cobblestone-like) indicate healing. Slough (yellow or gray, moist, stringy) and necrotic tissue/eschar (black, dry, leathery) represent nonviable tissue that hinders healing and increases infection risk.
  • Infection/Inflammation: Differentiate between normal inflammation (expected in the initial healing phase) and signs of infection (purulent drainage, increased pain, fever). Bacterial presence in a wound can impede healing and lead to systemic infection.
  • Moisture Balance: Maintaining a moist wound environment is essential for healing, facilitating cell migration, nutrient delivery, and autolytic debridement. However, excessive moisture can cause maceration (skin softening and breakdown), while insufficient moisture can lead to wound desiccation. Assess the type and amount of exudate.
  • Edges: Observe wound edges for signs of poor healing, such as rolled edges (epibole), undermining, or tunneling. Evaluate the periwound area for erythema, edema, and maceration, which can indicate complications or infection.

• Pain Assessment: Wound pain is a significant concern. Utilize pain assessment tools (e.g., numeric rating scale, visual analog scale) to quantify pain intensity and evaluate the effectiveness of pain management strategies. Characterize the pain (e.g., sharp, dull, burning).

Diagnostic Procedures: Identifying Infection and Underlying Issues

• Wound Culture: Obtaining a wound swab for culture and sensitivity testing is a cost-effective method to identify the causative pathogens in infected wounds and guide antibiotic therapy.

• Biopsy and Aspiration: Tissue biopsy is the gold standard for identifying bacteria in chronic wounds, offering superior accuracy compared to surface swabs. Aspiration of fluid from deeper wounds or suspected abscesses can help identify pathogens below the skin surface.

• Laboratory Tests: Blood tests can provide valuable information regarding systemic infection and the patient’s overall inflammatory status:

  • White blood cell (WBC) count: Elevated WBC count often indicates infection.
  • C-reactive protein (CRP) and Procalcitonin (PCT): These are inflammatory markers that are often elevated in bacterial infections.
  • Presepsin and Microbial DNA: Newer biomarkers that can aid in the early detection of sepsis and infection.
  • Bacterial protease activity (BPA): Can indicate bacterial burden in the wound.

• Imaging Studies: Imaging techniques can be used to assess the extent of infection and rule out deeper complications:

  • Plain X-rays: Useful for detecting soft tissue gas in gas gangrene or osteomyelitis.
  • Computed tomography (CT) scans: Helpful in visualizing deep tissue infections and abscesses, including intra-abdominal abscesses.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Provides detailed images of soft tissues and bone, useful for assessing the extent of infection, particularly in osteomyelitis and deep tissue infections.
  • Ultrasound: Can be used to evaluate superficial soft tissue infections and fluid collections.

• Peripheral Perfusion Assessment: In patients with suspected peripheral artery disease or conditions impacting circulation, assess peripheral perfusion:

  • Ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe-brachial index (TBI): Measure blood flow in the lower extremities.
  • Monofilament testing: Assesses protective sensation in the feet, particularly important in diabetic neuropathy, to identify patients at risk for foot ulcers.

Nursing Interventions: Preventing Infection and Promoting Healing in Post-Operative Wounds

Based on the comprehensive assessment, nurses develop and implement targeted interventions, guided by nursing diagnosis for preventing infection and improving post op care.

Providing Appropriate Wound Care: Local Wound Management

• Debridement of Nonviable Tissue: Removing necrotic tissue (slough and eschar) is essential for wound healing as it can harbor bacteria and impede tissue regeneration. Debridement methods include:

  • Autolytic debridement: Utilizing the body’s own enzymes to break down necrotic tissue using moisture-retentive dressings.
  • Enzymatic debridement: Application of topical enzymatic agents to digest necrotic tissue.
  • Sharp debridement: Surgical removal of necrotic tissue using sharp instruments, performed by trained healthcare professionals.
  • Mechanical debridement: Physical removal of debris and necrotic tissue using methods like wet-to-dry dressings (less selective and can damage healthy tissue, use with caution).

• Moisture Management: Maintaining optimal wound moisture balance is critical. Select dressings based on exudate levels.

  • For wounds with moderate to heavy exudate: Utilize highly absorbent dressings like hydrofiber or alginate dressings. Frequent dressing changes may be necessary.
  • For dry wounds: Hydrogels can provide moisture.

• Wound Packing: For deep wounds with tunneling or undermining, packing with moistened sterile gauze or hydrogel-impregnated dressings helps maintain wound bed moisture and prevents premature closure of the wound opening, which could lead to abscess formation.

• Periwound Skin Protection: Protecting the skin surrounding the wound (periwound) is important to prevent maceration and skin breakdown from exudate. Apply:

  • Barrier creams or ointments
  • Protective skin wipes
  • Barrier wafers.

• Wound Vac Therapy (Vacuum-Assisted Closure): Wound VAC systems are effective for managing various wound types, including open wounds, pressure ulcers, skin grafts, and flaps. They apply negative pressure to the wound bed, removing excess fluid, reducing edema, promoting granulation tissue formation, and enhancing wound closure.

• Pain Management during Wound Care: Wound care procedures, particularly dressing changes and debridement, can be painful. Premedicate patients with prescribed analgesics (oral or intravenous) prior to these procedures to enhance comfort and cooperation.

Preventing and Managing Wound Infection: Systemic and Local Approaches

• Aseptic or Clean Technique: Adherence to appropriate infection control techniques is paramount.

  • Aseptic technique (sterile technique): Use sterile gloves and sterile equipment for high-risk wounds such as surgical wounds, burns, and wounds in immunocompromised patients to minimize the introduction of microorganisms.
  • Clean technique (non-sterile technique): Use clean gloves and clean equipment for chronic wounds like pressure ulcers and less critical wounds like skin tears.

• Antibiotic Administration: Antibiotics are used to treat confirmed wound infections.

  • Topical antibiotics or silver-containing dressings: May be used for localized wound infections.
  • Systemic antibiotics (oral or intravenous): Required for wounds showing signs of systemic infection (fever, elevated WBC count, sepsis). Antibiotic selection should be guided by culture and sensitivity results to target specific pathogens.

• Patient Education on Immediate Wound Cleaning: Emphasize the importance of prompt wound cleansing after injury.

  • Clean minor wounds immediately with mild soap and water to reduce bacterial load.
  • Seek medical attention for “dirty” wounds (animal bites, wounds contaminated with soil, debris, or foreign material) for thorough cleaning and possible prophylactic antibiotics.

• Avoid Harsh Wound Cleansers: Educate patients to avoid using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean wounds. These agents can damage healthy tissue and impair wound healing. Use prescribed wound cleansers or normal saline.

• Hand Hygiene: Reinforce the critical role of hand hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after any wound care activity, both for healthcare providers and patients/caregivers.

• Wound Coverage: Debunk the myth that wounds need to “breathe.” Educate patients that keeping wounds covered with an appropriate dressing is beneficial as it:

  • Maintains a moist wound environment conducive to healing.
  • Protects the wound from external contamination and mechanical trauma.
  • Reduces bacterial entry.

Alt Text: A collection of essential wound care supplies including various types of dressings, bandages, antiseptic solutions, gloves, and tape, highlighting the tools nurses utilize for effective wound management and infection control.

Promoting Wound Healing: Supporting the Body’s Natural Repair Mechanisms

• Nutrition and Hydration Optimization: Promote adequate nutritional intake to support tissue repair and immune function.

  • High-protein diet: Essential for tissue regeneration. Recommend protein-rich foods or supplements if dietary intake is insufficient.
  • Vitamin C: Crucial antioxidant that promotes collagen synthesis and tissue repair.
  • Adequate fluid intake: Supports blood circulation, nutrient delivery, and tissue oxygenation.

• Education on Skin Breakdown Prevention Strategies: Educate patients and caregivers on preventive measures to minimize further skin injury and promote healing:

  • Pressure relief: Frequent turning and repositioning for bedridden or immobile patients to prevent pressure ulcers. Use pressure-redistributing support surfaces.
  • Foot protection: Advise patients to always wear appropriate footwear (shoes or socks), especially for diabetic patients, to protect feet from injury.
  • Edema management: For patients with lower extremity edema, recommend compression stockings (if appropriate for their condition and circulation status) to reduce swelling and improve circulation.
  • Skin hygiene: Keep skin clean and dry, especially in patients with incontinence, to prevent skin breakdown and infection. Use gentle cleansers and moisture barriers as needed.

• Wound Documentation: Maintain meticulous documentation of wound assessment findings and all wound care interventions performed at each dressing change. Include:

  • Date and time of dressing change
  • Wound measurements (size, depth)
  • Drainage characteristics
  • Wound bed appearance (tissue type)
  • Periwound skin condition
  • Cleansing solutions and dressings applied
  • Any changes in wound status.
  • Consider using wound photography, as per facility policy, to track wound progression over time.

• Referral to Wound Care Specialist/Clinic: For chronic, complex, or non-healing wounds, timely referral to a wound care specialist or specialized wound care clinic is essential. These specialists can provide advanced wound care modalities, such as:

  • Specialized wound dressings and therapies
  • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
  • Advanced debridement techniques.

Nursing Care Plans: Addressing Common Nursing Diagnoses Related to Post-Operative Wound Care and Infection Prevention

Nursing care plans are essential tools for organizing and prioritizing nursing care based on identified nursing diagnoses for preventing infection and improving post op care. Here are examples of common nursing diagnoses relevant to post-operative wound care and infection prevention:

1. Acute Pain Related to Wound Infection or Surgical Incision

Nursing Diagnosis: Acute Pain

Related to:

• Tissue damage (nociceptive pain) from surgical incision or wound trauma.
• Inflammation and infection at the wound site.
• Nerve damage (neuropathic pain) in some cases.

As evidenced by:

• Patient verbal reports of pain (using pain scales).
• Guarding behavior or reluctance to move the affected area.
• Restlessness and irritability.
• Tenderness to palpation around the wound.
• Physiological responses to pain (increased heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate – though these are less reliable indicators in chronic pain).

Expected Outcomes:

• Patient will report pain at a manageable level (as defined by the patient) using a pain scale within a specified timeframe.
• Patient will demonstrate improved comfort and ability to participate in activities of daily living (ADLs) and post-operative care.
• Patient will utilize pain management strategies effectively.

Nursing Interventions:

1. Pain Assessment: Assess pain characteristics (location, intensity, quality, aggravating/relieving factors) using a pain scale regularly (e.g., before and after dressing changes, medication administration).
2. Pharmacological Pain Management: Administer prescribed analgesics as ordered, considering pain intensity and type. Utilize a multimodal approach if appropriate (e.g., NSAIDs for inflammation, opioids for severe pain, neuropathic pain agents if indicated). Premedicate before painful procedures like dressing changes.
3. Non-Pharmacological Pain Management: Employ non-pharmacological techniques to complement analgesics:
   • Positioning and support of the wound site to minimize pressure and tension.
   • Application of ice or cold packs (as appropriate and with physician order) to reduce inflammation and pain.
   • Relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, distraction.
4. Education on Pain Management: Educate the patient about their pain medication regimen, proper use, and potential side effects. Teach non-pharmacological pain relief strategies.
5. Monitor Pain Relief Effectiveness: Evaluate the effectiveness of pain management interventions and adjust the plan as needed in collaboration with the patient and physician.

2. Impaired Skin Integrity Related to Surgical Incision, Trauma, or Pressure

Nursing Diagnosis: Impaired Skin Integrity

Related to:

• Surgical incision.
• Traumatic injury to the skin.
• Pressure, friction, and shearing forces (especially for pressure ulcer development).
• Moisture (excessive or insufficient).
• Impaired circulation.
• Delayed wound healing due to underlying conditions (e.g., diabetes).

As evidenced by:

• Disruption of skin surface (wound, incision).
• Redness (erythema), edema, and warmth around the wound.
• Drainage from the wound (serous, sanguinous, purulent).
• Delayed wound healing.
• Open wound or incision site.

Expected Outcomes:

• Patient will demonstrate progressive wound healing as evidenced by decreasing wound size, granulation tissue formation, and epithelialization.
• Patient will remain free from signs and symptoms of wound infection.
• Patient (or caregiver) will demonstrate proper wound care techniques.

Nursing Interventions:

1. Wound Assessment: Assess and document wound characteristics at each dressing change using the T.I.M.E. framework. Monitor for signs of infection.
2. Wound Cleansing and Dressing: Cleanse the wound according to prescribed protocols (e.g., normal saline). Apply appropriate wound dressings based on wound type, exudate level, and healing stage. Ensure dressings are changed regularly as needed.
3. Pressure Relief Measures: Implement pressure relief strategies for patients at risk for or with pressure ulcers:
   • Frequent repositioning (at least every 2 hours).
   • Use of pressure-redistributing support surfaces (specialty mattresses, cushions).
   • Offloading pressure from bony prominences.
4. Moisture Management: Maintain optimal wound moisture balance. Use absorbent dressings for exudating wounds and moisture-donating dressings for dry wounds. Protect periwound skin from maceration.
5. Nutritional Support: Encourage adequate protein, vitamin, and mineral intake to support wound healing. Consult with a dietitian if needed.
6. Education on Wound Care: Educate the patient and/or caregiver on proper wound care techniques, dressing changes, signs of infection to report, and preventive measures to promote skin integrity.

3. Risk for Infection Related to Break in Skin Integrity (Surgical Incision, Wound)

Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Infection

Related to:

• Break in skin integrity (surgical incision, wound, invasive procedures).
• Presence of invasive devices (intravenous catheters, surgical drains).
• Compromised immune system (due to surgery, underlying conditions, medications).
• Environmental exposure to pathogens.
• Inadequate aseptic technique during wound care or procedures.

As evidenced by: (This is a risk diagnosis, so there are no “as evidenced by” statements currently, but rather risk factors)

• Surgical incision or wound.
• Invasive procedures.
• Immunosuppression.
• Chronic illness (e.g., diabetes).
• Malnutrition.
• Advanced age.

Expected Outcomes:

• Patient will remain free from signs and symptoms of wound infection throughout the post-operative period (or specified timeframe).
• Patient will demonstrate understanding of infection prevention measures.

Nursing Interventions:

1. Infection Control Measures: Strictly adhere to infection control protocols:
   • Hand hygiene (before and after patient contact, wound care, procedures).
   • Aseptic technique during dressing changes and invasive procedures.
   • Proper disposal of contaminated dressings and sharps.
   • Maintain a clean environment.
2. Wound Care: Provide meticulous wound care as described previously to promote healing and prevent bacterial colonization.
3. Monitor for Signs of Infection: Regularly assess the wound and patient for signs and symptoms of infection (redness, warmth, swelling, pain, purulent drainage, fever, elevated WBC count). Report any signs of infection promptly to the physician.
4. Antibiotic Administration: Administer prophylactic antibiotics as ordered pre-operatively or post-operatively. Administer therapeutic antibiotics as prescribed for confirmed infections, based on culture and sensitivity results.
5. Patient Education on Infection Prevention: Educate the patient and caregiver on:
   • Signs and symptoms of wound infection to report.
   • Importance of hand hygiene.
   • Avoiding touching the wound unnecessarily.
   • Proper wound care and dressing change techniques if they are to perform wound care at home.
6. Optimize Patient’s Health Status: Promote factors that enhance immune function and wound healing:
   • Adequate nutrition and hydration.
   • Stress reduction.
   • Management of underlying medical conditions (e.g., diabetes control).

By utilizing nursing diagnosis for preventing infection and improving post op care as a guiding framework, nurses can provide comprehensive and effective wound management, minimize the risk of post-operative wound infections, and optimize patient outcomes. This patient-centered approach, combining meticulous assessment, targeted interventions, and continuous evaluation, is essential for promoting healing and ensuring patient safety in the post-operative setting and beyond.