Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What is a potential risk associated with a prolonged inflammatory phase in wound healing?

1. Delayed epithelialization

2. Increased risk of surgical dehiscence and hypertrophic scarring

3. Decreased blood flow

4. Enhanced collagen deposition

The correct answer is: Increased risk of surgical dehiscence and hypertrophic scarring

A prolonged inflammatory phase in wound healing can lead to an increased risk of surgical dehiscence and hypertrophic scarring. During the inflammatory phase, which is crucial for cleaning the wound of debris and pathogens, various immune cells are activated. If this phase is extended, it may result in excessive inflammation. This heightened inflammatory response can contribute to an environment conducive to complications such as surgical dehiscence, where a surgical wound reopens, and hypertrophic scarring, which is characterized by raised scars that may be more pronounced than normal healing. In contrast, delayed epithelialization is a potential consequence of prolonged inflammation, but it's not the most notable risk associated with it. Decreased blood flow generally happens during the inflammatory phase but is not a direct result of prolonged inflammation. Enhanced collagen deposition typically occurs later in the healing process and signifies transition to the proliferative phase rather than resulting directly from prolonged inflammation. Therefore, the increased risk of surgical dehiscence and hypertrophic scarring highlights the significance of tightly regulated inflammatory responses for optimal wound healing.