Wound Classification and Healing
Process EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Pallor - ANSWER>>Paleness of skin often from decrease in amount of circulating
blood, inadequate oxygenation of body tissues
Incision - ANSWER>>Cutting or sharp instrument; wound edges well
approximated and aligned; surrounding tissue undamaged; bleeds freely and least
likely to become infected
Contusion - ANSWER>>Blunt instrument, overlying skin remains intact, with injury
to underlying soft tissue; possible resultant bruising and/or hematoma
Abrasion - ANSWER>>Friction; rubbing or scraping epidermal layers of skin; top
layer of skin scraped away; dirt and germs often embedded and can become
infected
Laceration - ANSWER>>Tearing of skin and tissue with blunt or irregular
instrument; tissue not aligned, often with loose flaps of skin and tissue; frequently
contaminated with dirt or other material ground into the wound and likely to
become infected
Puncture - ANSWER>>Blunt or sharp instrument puncturing the skin; intentional
(such as venipuncture) or accidental; consider penetrating object when
considering infection probability
Penetrating - ANSWER>>Foreign object entering the skin or mucous membrane
and lodging in underlying tissue; fragments possibly scattering throughout tissues
, Avulsion - ANSWER>>Tearing a structure from normal anatomic position; possible
damage to blood vessels, nerves, and other structures
Chemical - ANSWER>>Toxic agents such as drugs, acids, alcohols, metals, and
substances released from cellular necrosis
Thermal - ANSWER>>High or low temperatures; cellular necrosis as a possible
result
Irradiation - ANSWER>>Ultraviolet light or radiation exposure; can cause wet or
dry desquamation
Hemostasis - ANSWER>>Occurs immediately after initial injury; involved blood
vessels constrict and blood clotting begins. The accumulation of exudate causes
swelling and pain. Increased perfusion causes heat and redness
Inflammatory - ANSWER>>Follows hemostasis and lasts about 2 to 3 days; white
blood cells move to the wound. Macrophages enter the wound area and remain
for an extended period. They ingest debris and release growth factors that attract
fibroblasts to fill in the wound. The patient has a generalized body response
causing a mildly elevated temperature, leukocytosis (elevated WBC count), and
general malaise
Proliferation - ANSWER>>May last up to 2 to 3 weeks; new tissue is built to fill the
wound space through the action of fibroblasts. Capillaries grow across the wound.
A thin layer of epithelial cells forms across the wound. Granulation tissue is the
new tissue that fills the wound and forms the foundation for scar tissue
development
Maturation - ANSWER>>Final stage of healing; begins about 3 weeks to 6 months
after injury; collagen is remodeled. New collagen tissue is deposited. Scar
becomes a flat, thin, white line
Process EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Pallor - ANSWER>>Paleness of skin often from decrease in amount of circulating
blood, inadequate oxygenation of body tissues
Incision - ANSWER>>Cutting or sharp instrument; wound edges well
approximated and aligned; surrounding tissue undamaged; bleeds freely and least
likely to become infected
Contusion - ANSWER>>Blunt instrument, overlying skin remains intact, with injury
to underlying soft tissue; possible resultant bruising and/or hematoma
Abrasion - ANSWER>>Friction; rubbing or scraping epidermal layers of skin; top
layer of skin scraped away; dirt and germs often embedded and can become
infected
Laceration - ANSWER>>Tearing of skin and tissue with blunt or irregular
instrument; tissue not aligned, often with loose flaps of skin and tissue; frequently
contaminated with dirt or other material ground into the wound and likely to
become infected
Puncture - ANSWER>>Blunt or sharp instrument puncturing the skin; intentional
(such as venipuncture) or accidental; consider penetrating object when
considering infection probability
Penetrating - ANSWER>>Foreign object entering the skin or mucous membrane
and lodging in underlying tissue; fragments possibly scattering throughout tissues
, Avulsion - ANSWER>>Tearing a structure from normal anatomic position; possible
damage to blood vessels, nerves, and other structures
Chemical - ANSWER>>Toxic agents such as drugs, acids, alcohols, metals, and
substances released from cellular necrosis
Thermal - ANSWER>>High or low temperatures; cellular necrosis as a possible
result
Irradiation - ANSWER>>Ultraviolet light or radiation exposure; can cause wet or
dry desquamation
Hemostasis - ANSWER>>Occurs immediately after initial injury; involved blood
vessels constrict and blood clotting begins. The accumulation of exudate causes
swelling and pain. Increased perfusion causes heat and redness
Inflammatory - ANSWER>>Follows hemostasis and lasts about 2 to 3 days; white
blood cells move to the wound. Macrophages enter the wound area and remain
for an extended period. They ingest debris and release growth factors that attract
fibroblasts to fill in the wound. The patient has a generalized body response
causing a mildly elevated temperature, leukocytosis (elevated WBC count), and
general malaise
Proliferation - ANSWER>>May last up to 2 to 3 weeks; new tissue is built to fill the
wound space through the action of fibroblasts. Capillaries grow across the wound.
A thin layer of epithelial cells forms across the wound. Granulation tissue is the
new tissue that fills the wound and forms the foundation for scar tissue
development
Maturation - ANSWER>>Final stage of healing; begins about 3 weeks to 6 months
after injury; collagen is remodeled. New collagen tissue is deposited. Scar
becomes a flat, thin, white line
