Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

When is it typically possible to palpate a healing ridge after surgery?

1. 1-3 days post-op

2. 5-9 days post-op

3. 10-14 days post-op

4. 15-21 days post-op

The correct answer is: 5-9 days post-op

A healing ridge is a sign of proper wound healing and is characterized by a firm area of tissue that forms along the incision line. Typically, this ridge can be palpated during the healing process as new collagen is laid down by fibroblasts and the wound moves towards closure. The correct timeframe for palpating a healing ridge is generally between 5 to 9 days post-operatively. This period coincides with the proliferation phase of wound healing, where granulation tissue is forming and the body is actively working to repair the surgical incision. During this time, collagen deposition is prominent, leading to the development of a palpable ridge. Clinically, observing a healing ridge at this stage indicates that the wound is healing appropriately, and the body is responding to the surgical intervention. In contrast, at 1-3 days post-op, the wound is still in the inflammatory phase, characterized by redness, swelling, and possibly exudate, making it unlikely to palpate a healing ridge. At 10-14 days, while the healing ridge may still be present, it might start to dissipate as the wound matures and begins to remodel. By 15-21 days, the wound has typically transitioned deeper into the remodeling phase, where the ridge may