Which phase of wound healing occurs between days 4 and 21 and is crucial for structural integrity?
Collagen deposition
* Collagen deposition builds tensile strength between days 4 and 21, essential for wound healing.
What process restores the skin barrier and initiates visible healing within 2 to 3 days of wound closure?
Epithelial resurfacing
* Epithelial resurfacing restores the barrier within 2 to 3 days.
What classification is a surgical incision made during a routine hernia repair where no entry into the respiratory, alimentary, or genitourinary tracts occurs?
Class I or clean wound or Class II or clean-contaminated wound ?
* Class I wounds are clean, uninfected surgical wounds with no entry into colonized tracts (respiratory, alimentary, or genitourinary) and minimal infection risk.
Which option places a puncture wound MOST at risk for infection?
Retained debris in the wound
Which wound closure technique is most suitable for a superficial, linear cut on the forearm?
Tissue adhesives
*Tissue adhesives are ideal for superficial, low-tension wounds, offering a quick and painless closure.
What is the primary reason for leaving high-risk animal bite wounds open?
To prevent trapped bacteria
* Leaving wounds open prevents infection by allowing drainage and reducing bacterial growth.
What dressing type is MOST appropriate for full-thickness burns?
Biologic or synthetic dressing
* Biologic or synthetic dressings support healing for deep burns by replacing damaged skin.
Which of the following nutrients is critical for collagen synthesis?
Vitamin C
* Vitamin C acts as an essential cofactor for two key enzymes responsible for collagen formation: prolyl hydroxylase and lysyl hydroxylase
How does psychological health impact wound healing?
Stress and anxiety slow the healing process.
* Psychological stress negatively impacts immune response and healing processes.
What type of acute wound is characterized by separation of the epidermis from the dermis with no skin loss?
Type 1 skin tear
Type 1 skin tears have no skin loss and can be repositioned over the wound bed.
Retention sutures are particularly beneficial in which scenario?
High-tension abdominal wounds
*Retention sutures are frequently used on abdomen wounds that are in areas of high tension where dehiscence is a concern.
When educating a patient about adhesive wound closures, what is the most important instruction?
Avoid wetting the area for the first 48 hours.
You are caring for a patient with a 2-day-old laceration that has been sutured closed, you notice redness around the suture site, there is no fever or drainage. What do you do?
Keep the area clean and monitor for infection.
*Sutures can trigger tissue reactions, and it is common to see some redness around the suture site, especially in the early stages of healing. Keeping the area clean and monitoring any signs of infection is key to ensuring proper wound healing.
Which acute wound type involves heavy bleeding and tissue absence, often requiring surgical intervention?
Avulsion
An avulsion is an acute wound defined by a partial or complete tearing away of skin and the underlying tissue. This severe trauma results in heavy, rapid bleeding and significant tissue absence,
What distinguishes a Type 3 skin tear from other types?
Total Flap loss
The skin flap is completely torn away and missing. There is no skin available to reposition and cover the open wound bed
What type of dressing?
- Made from: Natural tissues (collagen, amniotic membranes, or processed animal/human skin).
- How it works: Provides a natural scaffold that actively interacts with the wound, releasing growth factors and signaling the body to regenerate healthy tissue.
- Best used for: Deep dermal wounds, burns, and chronic, non-healing ulcers.
- Examples: Amniotic allografts (like EpiFix) or collagen scaffolds.
Biologic dressing
What type of dressing?
- Made from: Lab-engineered polymers (polyethylene glycol, silicone, hydrocolloids).
- How it works: Creates an optimal, inert microenvironment to trap moisture, keep out bacteria, and manage fluid (exudate).
- Best used for: Minor burns, surgical incisions, pressure ulcers, and heavily draining wounds.
- Examples: Tegaderm, hydrogel sheets, or alginate combinations
Synthetic dressing