CST Wound Care & Closure Flashcards

Which wound closure classification describes a clean wound that is closed immediately at the time of surgery?

Answer: Primary intention

Primary intention (primary closure) means the wound edges are approximated and closed surgically at the time of the procedure.

What type of wound healing is used when a wound is left open to granulate from the bottom up due to contamination or infection risk?

Answer: Secondary intention

Secondary intention healing allows a contaminated or infected wound to granulate and epithelialize from the wound base upward without formal closure.

A wound that is initially left open for a period of observation and then surgically closed after confirming no infection is an example of which closure method?

Answer: Tertiary intention (delayed primary closure)

Tertiary intention, or delayed primary closure, involves leaving a wound open temporarily before closing it surgically to reduce infection risk.

Which layer of the abdominal wall is typically closed with a heavy absorbable or permanent suture to provide the strongest fascial closure?

Answer: Fascia (e.g., anterior rectus sheath)

The fascial layer provides the structural strength of the abdominal wall and is closed with strong absorbable or permanent suture to prevent hernia formation.

What is the purpose of a retention (stay) suture used in abdominal closure?

Answer: To provide additional support to the wound closure and prevent dehiscence in high-risk patients

Retention sutures are large, widely placed sutures that provide reinforcement of the wound closure in patients at high risk for dehiscence (e.g., obese, malnourished).

Which dressing type is most appropriate for a wound requiring a moist healing environment to promote granulation tissue?

Answer: Transparent film dressing or hydrocolloid

Moist wound dressings such as transparent films or hydrocolloids maintain a humid environment that promotes granulation and epithelialization.