Question

After the surgeon tells the patient that his wound will be allowed to heal by secondary intention, the patient asks the nurse what that is. How should the nurse explain this to the patient?

1. The wound will be stapled together until it heals.
2. The healing will contract the area to close the wound.
3. The wound will be left open and heal from the edges inward.
4. The wound will be sutured after the current infection is controlled.

Answer 1

Secondary intention healing refers to the process where a wound is allowed to heal from the edges inward, without surgical closure like suturing. This method is used when wounds are too large or infected to be closed immediately.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the surgeon says the patient's wound will be allowed to heal by secondary intention, this means the wound will be left open and allowed to heal from the edges inward. Unlike primary union, where the wound edges are brought together and possibly sutured or stapled to promote quicker healing, secondary intention healing involves the wound being left open.

It contracts and heals over time, filling in with new tissue and skin cells from the bottom and sides toward the surface. This method is utilized when the wound is too large or there is an infection that prevents primary closure.