In field care, antibiotics are indicated for which type of wounds?

• A. All wounds
• B. Open combat wounds
• C. Closed wounds
• D. Infected wounds only

Answer: (B)

Antibiotics are used in field care to prevent infection in wounds that are open and contaminated. When the skin is broken and the wound is exposed to dirt, debris, or battlefield contaminants, bacteria can enter quickly and multiply. Starting antibiotics for open combat wounds helps reduce the risk of infection and complications from contamination.

Closed wounds have intact skin, so the natural barrier reduces infection risk; antibiotics are not routinely given unless signs of infection appear or there are specific risk factors. Infected wounds do require antibiotic treatment, but the field standard aims to prevent this scenario by treating open wounds early. Therefore, open combat wounds are the situation where antibiotics are indicated.