What instruction should a nurse give to a client with necrotic tissue in a wound bed?

The instruction to avoid scrubbing necrotic tissue is crucial because scrubbing can cause additional trauma to the wound bed. Necrotic tissue, or dead tissue, must be managed carefully to promote healing. When necrotic tissue is present, the objective is to debride it gently to encourage the growth of healthy tissue underneath. Scrubbing can disrupt the delicate balance of the healing process, potentially leading to increased inflammation, delayed healing, or even infection.

In contrast, leaving the wound open to air or drying it out can also hinder healing by exposing it to contaminants or causing the surrounding healthy tissue to dry out as well. A focus on appropriate cleaning methods that remove debris without aggressive scrubbing is essential for effective wound management.