Wound Healing – Exam Review Flashcards

Thirty question-and-answer flashcards that cover phases, factors, complications, wound types, management, chronic wounds, and dressing principles from the wound-healing lecture.

What is wound contraction and when does it begin?

The shrinking of wound edges to reduce size, starting immediately after injury.

Which temporary tissue forms during proliferation and is later replaced by fibrous tissue?

Granulation tissue.

What is epithelialization in wound healing?

The growth of new epidermal cells to cover the wound surface.

List the three phases of wound healing in order.

Hemostasis & inflammation, proliferation, maturation & remodeling.

What key events occur during the hemostasis and inflammation phase?

Platelet clot formation, immune-cell recruitment, and wound debridement by macrophages.

Which cell type cleans the wound and releases healing factors?

Macrophages.

During the proliferation phase, which cells produce collagen?

Fibroblasts.

After injury, what percentage of ultimate strength does a wound reach at 3 weeks and at 3 months?

About 20 % at 3 weeks and 80 % at 3 months.

Name six nutrients essential for effective wound healing.

Proteins, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, zinc, copper (plus manganese).

List five major cell types involved in wound repair.

Platelets, white blood cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, epithelial and endothelial cells.

Give three important growth factors in wound healing.

PDGF, TNF-alpha, and FGF (also IL-1).

What characterizes healing by primary intention?

A clean wound closed promptly, producing a fine linear scar.

How does secondary intention differ from primary intention?

The wound is left open, heals by granulation and contraction, yielding a wider scar.

When is tertiary intention (delayed primary closure) typically chosen?

When a wound is initially left open for contamination control before later closure.

Give two general patient factors that slow wound healing.

Advanced age and poor nutrition (also chronic illness or steroid use).

Name two local factors that impede wound repair.

Poor blood supply and wound infection (also tension, necrosis, foreign bodies).

What is wound dehiscence?

Partial or complete reopening of a surgically closed wound.

Differentiate a hypertrophic scar from a keloid.

Hypertrophic scars rise but stay within original edges; keloids grow beyond them.

What is a contracture in the context of wound healing?

Excessive scarring over a joint that limits movement and causes deformity.

Give two common examples of closed wounds.

Contusion (bruise) and hematoma.

Describe an incised wound.

A clean, straight cut produced by a sharp object such as a knife or scalpel.

What immediate first-aid measures are crucial for open wounds?

Follow trauma protocol, determine cause/time, give tetanus prophylaxis and antibiotics.

In contaminated wounds, which structures should not be repaired or closed initially?

Nerves, tendons, fascia, and skin should be left unrepaired/unclosed.

How long must a wound fail to heal before it is labeled chronic?

More than 3 months.

List three common types of chronic wounds.

Venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure sores.

What are the four stages of pressure sores?

Erythema, partial-thickness skin loss, full-thickness skin loss, deep tissue/bone involvement.

Mention two key preventive measures for pressure sores.

Regular repositioning and use of pressure-relieving mattresses.

What is the principle behind VAC (negative-pressure) therapy?

Applying controlled suction to enhance granulation tissue formation and wound contraction.

Name four major categories of modern wound dressings.

Occlusive, semi-occlusive, hydrocolloid, and alginate (plus osmotic, foam, film, etc.).

Explain the moist wound healing principle.

Maintaining a moist environment accelerates epithelialization and collagen synthesis while reducing pain.