Final answer:
The expected findings of postoperative wound healing by secondary intention include a prolonged healing time and noticeable scarring due to the expansive replacement of tissue, as well as the presence of granulation tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing the healing of a postoperative wound by secondary intention, we're referring to the process where the wound edges are not brought together but instead heal from the bottom up. This can occur with larger wounds that cannot be closed with sutures (stitches) directly due to the size or contamination of the wound. In the case of wound healing by secondary intention, the expected findings would include:
- Prolonged healing time due to the larger area that needs to be filled in with new tissue.
- Presence of granulation tissue, which includes new connective tissue and tiny blood vessels that form on the surfaces of a wound during the healing process.
- More noticeable scarring since the wound heals without the edges being approximated, and there's more extensive tissue replacement by fibrosis.
Thus, the correct answer related to wound healing by secondary intention is 'd. Prolonged healing time.'