Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

What is the classification for a gunshot wound during surgical procedures?

1. Contaminated Wound

2. Clean Wound

3. Dirty/Infected Class

4. Clean/Contaminated

The correct answer is: Dirty/Infected Class

A gunshot wound during surgical procedures is classified as a Dirty/Infected Class wound due to the nature of the injury and the potential for contamination. This classification is used for wounds that are considered to be infected or have a high risk of infection because they are caused by external forces, like bullets, that introduce foreign materials, bacteria, and other pathogens into the tissue. In surgical settings, a Dirty/Infected classification indicates that the wound has a significant bacterial load, possibly including necrotic tissue, and is likely to be complicated by the presence of pus or other biological debris. This classification necessitates a careful surgical approach to manage infection and may require the use of antibiotics and infection control measures. Other classifications, such as Clean, Contaminated, or Clean/Contaminated, are used for different types of wounds where the risk of infection is either low or moderated, but in the case of a gunshot wound, the risk is significantly elevated, which is why it is categorized as Dirty/Infected.