Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

Which factors can intensify or prolong the inflammatory phase of wound healing?

1. Bacterial loads and ischemia/hypoxia

2. Age and hydration status

3. Skin color and temperature

4. Medications and exercise levels

The correct answer is: Bacterial loads and ischemia/hypoxia

The inflammatory phase of wound healing is crucial as it prepares the wound for healing by removing debris and fighting off any potential infections. Factors that can intensify or prolong this phase are critical to understanding how wounds heal effectively. Bacterial loads can significantly affect the inflammatory response. When a wound is contaminated with bacteria, the immune system becomes activated to fight off the infection, resulting in a prolonged inflammatory response. This increased activity can lead to excessive inflammation, which can be detrimental to the healing process if it persists. Ischemia (insufficient blood flow) and hypoxia (lack of oxygen) further complicate healing. Adequate blood flow is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients necessary for tissue repair. When blood supply is compromised, the healing process slows down, and inflammatory mediators are released for an extended duration, intensifying the inflammatory response. While age and hydration status, skin color and temperature, and medications and exercise levels can all influence wound healing in various ways, they do not specifically exert the same immediate, direct effects on the inflammatory response that bacterial loads and ischemia/hypoxia do. Age and hydration can impact overall healing capacity but are not as directly linked to prolonging the inflammatory phase.