To dress an evisceration, you should use which dressing?

• A. Dry sterile dressing
• B. Adhesive bandage
• C. Gauze pad
• D. A large moist dressing

Answer: (D)

When tissues have eviscerated, the priority is to keep the exposed viscera moist and protected from contamination while awaiting definitive care. A large moist dressing provides full coverage of the protruding organs and the surrounding area, creating a moist, sterile environment that preserves tissue viability and reduces the risk of desiccation and infection. Dry dressings can dry out the exposed tissue and inflict further injury, while an adhesive bandage won't cover adequately or protect the viscera. A gauze pad alone may be insufficient coverage or not kept moist unless specifically moistened, which a large moist dressing inherently provides.