Which action demonstrates compliance with facility policy during a dressing change?

• A. Verifying the steps using the facility online procedure manual
• B. Verifying the procedure with a colleague without consulting the manual
• C. Relying solely on memory of the procedure
• D. Following a random online guide

Answer: (D)

The action being tested is aligning your practice with official policy by using the facility’s documented procedure. Dressing changes are performed under standardized, approved steps to protect the patient from infection, ensure correct wound care, and meet legal and accreditation requirements. By consulting the facility’s online procedure manual, you access the current, institution-approved protocol, including the sequence of steps, required PPE, hand hygiene, sterile technique, wound assessment notes, and any documentation or verification prompts in the electronic record. This approach minimizes variation, reduces risk, and provides a defensible standard of care if questions arise.

Relying on a colleague without the manual can propagate outdated or nonstandard practices, depending on memory alone is risky due to potential forgotten steps, and following a random online guide lacks the authority and updating reality of institutional policies.