How should the skin be prepped before an incision, and why should hair removal be approached carefully?

• A. Use antiseptic solution to cleanse from incision outward; if hair removal is needed, use clippers, not razors, to reduce microtrauma.
• B. Use antiseptic solution to cleanse from incision inward; if hair removal is needed, use razors.
• C. Hair removal with razors is preferred.
• D. Hair removal not necessary.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is reducing infection risk during skin prep by using proper antisepsis and minimizing skin trauma from hair removal. Start cleansing with an antiseptic from the incision site outward toward the surrounding skin. This outward motion helps move any contaminants away from the wound rather than dragging bacteria toward the incision, and the antiseptic should be allowed to dry before making the incision.

If hair removal is necessary, choose a method that minimizes skin injury. Razors create microtrauma and tiny nicks that can harbor bacteria and increase infection risk. Clippers shorten hair without cutting the skin, reducing trauma. Hair removal should be done only when needed and as close to the time of incision as practical to limit bacterial colonization.