How do sterile dressings differ from field dressings?

• A. Field dressings are always sterile and provide better infection control.
• B. There is no difference between sterile and field dressings.
• C. Sterile dressings are free of contaminants; field dressings may be non-sterile but used to control bleeding and cover wounds.
• D. Sterile dressings are heavier and less flexible than field dressings.

Answer: (C)

Sterility and infection control are the deciding factors. Sterile dressings are packaged and kept free of contaminants, so they’re used when the goal is to minimize infection risk for a wound or after a procedure. Field dressings are intended for emergency or on-the-spot care and may not be sterile, but they’re chosen to quickly control bleeding and cover a wound when definitive medical care isn’t immediately available. That context is why the best statement is that sterile dressings are free of contaminants, while field dressings may be non-sterile but are used for bleeding control and wound coverage in the field.