Debridement is the removal of what from a wound?

• A. Only dead skin
• B. The removal of devitalized tissue, debris, and foreign objects
• C. Only bacteria
• D. Only foreign objects

Answer: (B)

Debridement means removing nonviable tissue, debris, and any foreign material from a wound to create a clean wound bed that can heal. Nonviable tissue is dead or dying tissue that won’t recover and can harbor bacteria. Debris includes necrotic tissue, slough, and other contaminants. Foreign objects are things like dirt, splinters, or embedded material. Removing all three helps prevent infection and supports proper granulation and healing.

Choosing only dead skin misses deeper nonviable tissue and contaminants. Removing only bacteria isn’t debridement, since bacteria are addressed by cleansing and antibiotics, while debridement targets tissue and material that block healing. Removing only foreign objects leaves devitalized tissue behind that can impede recovery.