What is NOT within the scope of practice for a medical assistant regarding wound care?

The ability for a medical assistant to provide effective wound care is crucial, and it's essential to understand the limitations of their scope of practice. One aspect that is not within a medical assistant's responsibilities is suturing wounds. Suturing is a procedure that requires advanced training and is typically performed by a licensed healthcare provider such as a physician or physician's assistant, who has the necessary skills to ensure proper closure and healing of the wound.

In contrast, changing dressings according to the provider's orders, maintaining pressure on a wound to control bleeding, and monitoring for signs of infection are tasks that medical assistants are trained to manage. These duties are often part of a medical assistant's role in supporting patient care, ensuring that patients are monitored and managed effectively under the supervision of a licensed provider. Therefore, the correct answer reflects a clear understanding of the boundaries within which a medical assistant operates regarding wound care procedures.