Which instrument is used to assess wound depth during measurement?

• A. A sterile 6" cotton-tipped applicator
• B. A metal ruler
• C. A thermometer
• D. A sterile syringe

Answer: (A)

Assessing wound depth requires a sterile, flexible instrument that can reach the wound bed. A sterile cotton-tipped applicator is designed for this purpose. Gently inserting the tip into the deepest part of the wound until you meet resistance allows you to determine how far the wound extends; you then note the length of the applicator that remains within the wound (often by how wet or stained the tip becomes). This method preserves sterile technique, minimizes tissue trauma, and provides a practical measure of depth, even in irregularly shaped wounds. The other items aren’t suited for depth probing: a metal ruler can measure surface dimensions but isn’t a sterile depth probe and may not reach into the bed; a thermometer is for temperature assessment; a sterile syringe is used for irrigation or injecting medications, not measuring depth.