Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What is the role of growth factors in partial thickness wound healing?

1. They increase inflammation at the wound site.

2. They stimulate keratinocyte attachment and migration.

3. They serve as a barrier to infection.

4. They slow down the healing process.

The correct answer is: They stimulate keratinocyte attachment and migration.

The role of growth factors in partial thickness wound healing is primarily to stimulate keratinocyte attachment and migration. Growth factors are proteins that play essential roles in various cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and migration. In the context of wound healing, particularly partial thickness wounds, these factors are crucial for re-epithelialization. During the healing process, keratinocytes (the cells that make up the outer layer of the skin) need to migrate to cover the wound site. Growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α), enhance the ability of keratinocytes to attach to the extracellular matrix and migrate across the wound bed. This is vital for restoring the integrity of the skin barrier and promoting healing. While there are other important processes at play in wound healing, such as inflammation and infection control, growth factors specifically focus on facilitating the movement and attachment of keratinocytes, thereby accelerating the healing process. This makes the correct choice relevant and essential for understanding the mechanisms involved in partial thickness wound healing.