Which one of the following preservatives is used while packing catgut suture?

NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

Explanation

Catgut sutures are of biological origin and require storage in a conditioning fluid to maintain pliability and prevent drying.
Isopropyl alcohol is the standard fluid used for this purpose, as it keeps the suture soft, flexible, and sterile within its packaging.
The alcohol solution acts as both a preservative and a hydrating agent for the collagen-based suture material.

Option B: Colloidal iodine (and other iodophors like povidone-iodine) is a topical antiseptic used for skin disinfection before surgery. It is not used as a storage or preservation medium for sutures.
Option C: Glutaraldehyde is a high-level disinfectant and chemical sterilant for heat-sensitive medical equipment. It is a potent aldehyde that would denature and damage the protein structure of catgut, making it unsuitable for preservation.
Option D: Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent used for cleaning wounds and as a surface disinfectant. It is not stable for long-term storage and is not used for preserving sutures.

Visual 1: Diagram - A cross-section of a catgut suture package showing the suture coil immersed in the isopropyl alcohol conditioning fluid.
Visual 2: Infographic - A comparison chart detailing the properties of Plain Catgut vs. Chromic Catgut, including absorption time, tensile strength, and common uses.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Preservation and packaging of surgical sutures, specifically absorbable catgut sutures as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses in the operating room must be familiar with the handling properties of different sutures. Knowing that catgut is packed in fluid is crucial for preparing it correctly for the surgeon.
Before handing the suture to the surgeon, the nurse should allow any excess alcohol to drip off to avoid introducing it into the wound, which could cause tissue irritation.
It is a critical patient safety measure to inspect the suture packet before opening. If the packet is dry, damaged, or the fluid appears cloudy, the suture's sterility and integrity are compromised, and it must be discarded.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key components of the question: 'preservative', 'packing', and 'catgut suture'.
Recognize that catgut is a unique suture material made from animal intestines, which implies it might have special storage requirements compared to synthetic sutures.
Recall or deduce that biological materials often need to be kept moist to maintain their properties. This points towards a liquid preservative.
Evaluate the options based on their primary use in a clinical setting. Isopropyl alcohol is known as a preservative and disinfectant. Iodine, glutaraldehyde, and hydrogen peroxide are primarily used for skin/instrument disinfection or wound cleaning, not for long-term material preservation in packaging.
Select the option that best fits the role of a liquid preservative for a biological suture material.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Preservation and packaging of surgical sutures, specifically absorbable catgut sutures.
Stem keywords: preservatives, packing, catgut suture
Lead-in keywords: Which one

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