What treatment did Mrs. Eldredge receive for her infected wound?

• A. Oral antibiotics only
• B. Wound drainage without antibiotics
• C. Immediate surgical debridement without antibiotics
• D. IV antibiotics and wound irrigation

Answer: (D)

Managing an infected wound requires addressing both the local infection and its potential spread in the body. The strongest approach combines systemic therapy with local wound care. Intravenous antibiotics deliver reliable, rapid blood levels to fight the infection throughout the body, which is important when the infection is moderate to severe or when oral absorption may be unreliable. Wound irrigation helps physically remove pus, debris, and bacteria from the wound, reducing the bacterial load at the site and supporting healing. Put together, IV antibiotics and wound irrigation tackle both the systemic and local aspects of the infection, making it the most comprehensive and effective choice for an infected wound.