How often should gauze dressings be changed if the integrity is maintained?

The correct choice is to change gauze dressings every 48 hours if the integrity is maintained. This time frame is based on guidelines established for maintaining optimal conditions for IV sites and minimizing the risk of infection. Regular changes ensure that any potential contamination is addressed while also allowing for proper site monitoring.

Changing dressings every 48 hours balances the need for freshness and cleanliness without leading to unnecessary trauma to the site that could occur with more frequent changes. It minimizes disruption to the insertion site and helps protect against unintentional irritation or damage that could arise from daily changes.

If gauze dressings remain intact and do not show signs of soiling or infection, extending change intervals beyond this period—such as suggested with 72 hours—may not adequately mitigate risks associated with prolonged use of the same dressing material. The choice of 'as needed' could lead to variable practices and potentially overlooking necessary changes, whereas the 48-hour recommendation establishes a clear and systematic approach to dressing maintenance.