Which practice is part of proper wound cleansing in athletic settings?

• A. Gentle irrigation with clean water and debris removal; apply sterile dressing.
• B. Aggressive scrubbing with a rough brush.
• C. Rinse with contaminated water.
• D. Use hot water and alcohol to sterilize; apply ointment after.

Answer: (D)

Proper wound cleansing in athletic settings centers on removing debris with gentle irrigation using clean water and then protecting the wound with a sterile dressing. Gentle flushing helps wash away dirt and bacteria without damaging tissue, whereas aggressive scrubbing can reopen or injure tissue and push contaminants deeper. Rinsing with contaminated water raises infection risk, and using hot water or alcohol on an open wound can irritate or burn tissue and slow healing. After cleansing, covering the wound with a sterile dressing maintains a clean, protected environment to promote healing.