When swabbing an incision, where should you begin?

Beginning at the incision and moving outward is the correct approach when swabbing an incision. This technique ensures that any potential contaminants or bacteria are moved away from the incision site rather than toward it, which could increase the risk of infection. By starting directly at the incision, you are effectively covering the area most in need of cleaning before moving to the surrounding skin. This method is particularly important in maintaining asepsis and avoiding cross-contamination, promoting better healing and minimizing complications.

In surgical and clinical practices, the goal of swabbing is to effectively clean the area while reducing the likelihood of introducing pathogens into the wound. The other techniques mentioned do not facilitate optimal cleaning and could compromise the sterility of the incision.