Which term describes the practice of keeping a wound free from contamination?

• A. Aseptic technique.
• B. Disinfection.
• C. Sterilization.
• D. Contamination.

Answer: (A)

Aseptic technique is the practice of keeping a wound free from contamination. This involves creating and maintaining a sterile environment during wound care—hand hygiene, using sterile gloves and instruments, a sterile field, proper wound cleansing, and avoiding contact between sterile and non-sterile surfaces. The goal is to prevent microorganisms from entering the wound and causing infection, which is why this term best fits.

Disinfection reduces the number of microbes on surfaces but doesn’t guarantee a sterile environment or tools. Sterilization removes all living microorganisms from equipment, but it’s a process applied to instruments, not the ongoing care technique used at the wound site. Contamination describes the presence of microbes in a wound or environment, not the protective method used to prevent them.