When packing a wound, what is the initial step?

Finding the deepest part of the wound is a crucial initial step when packing a wound because it allows you to assess the extent of the injury and determine the appropriate packing technique required. Understanding the wound's depth helps in selecting the right materials for packing and ensures that you are addressing any potential issues such as infection risk or the presence of foreign objects. Identifying the deepest area also informs the practitioner about how to effectively clean and treat the wound before it is covered.

The other choices involve actions that, while important in the overall care of a wound, occur after this initial assessment. Covering the wound with a bandage is a final step to protect it once it has been adequately treated. Applying antiseptic is also a step that typically follows the assessment of the wound's depth and cleaning. Calling for medical assistance is crucial in severe cases or when the injury is beyond basic first aid, but this too generally follows an initial evaluation of the severity and type of wound.