Final answer:
In wound healing, the nurse would document progression through phases including clotting, removal of waste, granulation tissue formation, and eventually primary or secondary union, as well as monitoring for signs of infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse caring for a postoperative patient would document that the surgical incision is healing typically by noting the progression through key phases of wound healing. After initial clotting to stop bleeding, toxins and waste products must be removed. This is followed by the formation of granulation tissue, marked by the proliferation of fibroblasts and angiogenesis, which are crucial for replacing lost collagen and extracellular materials and for vascularizing the new tissue.
Different wound healing processes named primary union and secondary union describe healing by different mechanisms based on the type of wound. Primary union refers to healing where the wound edges are close together, often expedited with sutures to promote healing and minimize scarring. In contrast, secondary union is the process for larger, gaping wounds that require contraction for healing, taking longer to be filled with new cells and collagen. Monitoring for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, and pain, is also critical in wound care to ensure a healthy recovery.