AEMCA Practice Exam

How long should bite wounds be irrigated according to the established standard?

1. 3 minutes

2. 5 minutes

3. 10 minutes

4. 15 minutes

The correct answer is: 5 minutes

When addressing bite wounds, the standard recommends that they should be irrigated for at least 5 minutes. This duration is based on the goal of effectively removing contaminants and reducing the risk of infection, which is particularly important given the nature of bite wounds that often harbor bacteria from both the human and animal flora. Proper irrigation helps to flush out debris and bacteria from the wound, which can significantly diminish the likelihood of post-injury complications. While irrigation for longer durations, such as 10 or 15 minutes, may be beneficial in certain circumstances, the established minimum of 5 minutes is generally considered sufficient to achieve effective cleansing in most bite injury cases.