Medical textiles: why is rayon considered superior to cotton for making gauze for wound treatment?

Introduction / Context:
Gauze performance depends on absorbency, non-adherence to wound beds, and comfort. Rayon (viscose rayon) is a regenerated cellulose fibre engineered for high moisture management and softness, making it a common choice in medical dressings.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Rayon is regenerated cellulose; cotton is natural cellulose.
• Desired properties: high absorbency and low adhesion to wounds.
• We are comparing general, widely cited characteristics.

Concept / Approach:
Rayon fibres are manufactured to have a fine denier and high amorphous content that promotes capillary uptake. This yields very high water absorbency (often >90% of fibre weight). Rayon also forms soft, smooth fabrics that tend to cling less to wound surfaces compared with some cotton gauzes, reducing trauma during dressing changes. Being “synthetic” (option a) is not itself a performance reason; what matters are fibre morphology and sorption behavior.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify target properties: absorbency and non-adherence.Map rayon's regenerated-cellulose structure to high water uptake and soft hand.Conclude that both (b) and (c) justify the preference.

Verification / Alternative check:
Medical textile guidelines list viscose-rayon gauze as highly absorbent and low-adherent, often blended with cotton for cost and mechanical strength.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
(a) Merely stating synthetic origin does not explain performance benefits.(b) and (c) together capture the functional advantages relevant to wound care.

Common Pitfalls:
Equating fibre origin with performance; overlooking surface finish, denier, and weave density in gauze design.

Final Answer:
Both (b) and (c).