Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

The use of specialized dressings is most critical in which type of wound healing?

1. Healing by primary intention

2. Healing by secondary intention

3. Healing by delayed primary intention

4. Healing by tertiary intention

The correct answer is: Healing by secondary intention

The use of specialized dressings is particularly critical in healing by secondary intention due to the nature of how these wounds heal. In secondary intention, the wound is left open to heal from the bottom up and from the sides inward, which often occurs with larger, deeper, or infected wounds. The healing process relies heavily on granulation tissue formation, epithelialization, and contraction. Specialized dressings play several vital roles in this type of healing. They help maintain a moist wound environment, which is essential for promoting cell migration and facilitating the formation of granulation tissue. Additionally, these dressings can help to manage exudate, protect the wound from infection, and provide thermal insulation. The other wound healing processes, such as healing by primary intention, typically involve sutured or closed wounds that do not require the same level of specialized dressings since they are designed to heal quickly with less risk of infection and complication. Delayed primary intention and tertiary intention involve similar closure techniques but may not necessitate the use of specialized materials to the extent seen in secondary intention healing, as the focus is often on preparation before closure rather than nurturing an open wound environment. Thus, specialized dressings are most essential in secondary intention healing to support the body’s natural processes effectively