Final answer:
When a client has a surgical wound healing by secondary intention, the nurse can anticipate a longer healing time, increased scarring and risk of infection, and the need for regular wound care.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client has a surgical wound healing by secondary intention, the nurse can anticipate several things:
- The wound will take longer to heal compared to a wound healing by primary intention, as there is a larger gap between the wound edges.
- There may be more scarring and a greater risk of infection.
- Regular wound care, including cleaning the wound, applying dressings, and monitoring for signs of infection, will be necessary.