California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA) Practice Test

What practice is part of caring for a postoperative patient?

1. Engaging in physical therapy

2. Removing unnecessary stitches

3. Changing wound dressings

4. Giving intravenous fluids

The correct answer is: Changing wound dressings

Changing wound dressings is a critical component of caring for a postoperative patient because it helps to maintain a clean environment for the surgical site, promotes healing, and reduces the risk of infection. Proper wound care includes assessing the wound for any signs of complications, such as increased redness, swelling, or drainage, and ensuring that the dressing is applied securely to protect the area from external contaminants. While engaging in physical therapy, removing unnecessary stitches, and giving intravenous fluids can also be relevant to postoperative care, changing wound dressings is a fundamental nursing task that directly contributes to the patient's recovery process and is routinely performed in the postoperative setting. Each action serves a different purpose, but the immediate priority after surgery is often the maintenance of the surgical wound, making it a primary responsibility of medical assistants and nursing staff.