PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Which surgical wound classification has the least risk of infection?

1. Contaminated

2. Dirty or infected

3. Clean

4. Clean-contaminated

The correct answer is: Clean

The classification of surgical wounds is essential for understanding the risk of postoperative infections, and the clean category is characterized by having the least risk of infection. Clean wounds are those that are created in sterile conditions, such as surgical procedures that do not involve the respiratory, gastrointestinal, or genitourinary tracts and are performed under aseptic techniques. Since no contamination occurs, the likelihood of pathogens being introduced into the wounds is minimal, significantly reducing the chances of infection developing postoperatively. In comparison, contaminated wounds occur in circumstances where there has been a break in sterile technique or an entry point that is exposed to potential pathogens. Clean-contaminated wounds involve surgical procedures that may interact with the normal flora of the body, such as surgery on the gastrointestinal tract where some degree of contamination is expected but not excessive. Dirty or infected wounds already contain pathogens and are typically associated with established infections, presenting a high risk for postsurgical complications. Thus, the clean classification is associated with optimal surgical conditions, resulting in the lowest risk of infection.