Which scalpel blade is used for stabbing and incising the skin in incision and drainage procedures?

• A. #3
• B. #11
• C. #10
• D. #15

Answer: (B)

The key idea is matching scalpel blade geometry to the task of penetrating skin and creating a quick, controlled opening for drainage. For an incision and drainage, you want a blade that can pierce the skin with a clean, precise stab and then guide a small, straight incision with minimal tissue trauma. A blade designed with a pointed tip and a sharp, straight edge excels at this: it lets you stab through the skin easily and establish an entry into the abscess cavity in one smooth motion. This reduces resistance and tissue damage while giving you good control for the necessary opening.

Blades intended for larger incisions are broader and less suited to a precise stab, while very small or finely curved blades are better for delicate, superficial incisions but may not provide the same efficient entry. So the blade with the pointed tip for stab incisions is the best fit for this procedure.