Which complementary therapy can be used during dressing changes?

• A. Ice therapy
• B. Distraction, music.
• C. Sedation only
• D. Wound irrigation only

Answer: (B)

Pain and distress during dressing changes are influenced by where attention goes and how the patient feels emotionally. Using distraction moves attention away from the painful procedure and helps the body relax, which can lower the perception of pain and anxiety without adding meds or invasive steps.

Distraction, such as music, is the best complementary therapy here because it provides a noninvasive, patient-friendly way to cope with the procedure. Music can be tailored to the patient’s preferences and used alongside any analgesia if needed, helping to create a calmer experience during wound care.

Ice therapy is not about coping with pain through distraction and can be uncomfortable or even harmful when applied around wounds. Sedation alone introduces systemic risks and is not considered a routine complementary approach for dressing changes. Wound irrigation is a necessary part of wound care for cleansing, not a strategy to reduce pain or anxiety during the procedure.