Final answer:
Option (a), The postoperative patient's surgical incision documented by the nurse is most likely healing by primary intention, which is the typical healing process for surgical wounds with neatly approximated edges and minimal tissue loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient and documents that the surgical incision is healing by Primary intention.
Wound healing can occur in three main ways: primary intention, secondary intention, and tertiary intention. Healing by primary intention occurs when the wound edges are neatly approximated, such as with a surgical incision or a clean laceration. This type of healing usually involves minimal tissue loss and has the potential for less scarring.
Secondary intention healing happens when the wound edges are not closely approximated and the wound heals from the bottom up, often leaving more significant scarring. Tertiary intention involves a delayed surgical closure of a wound, allowing it to clean, granulate, and be re-evaluated before closure.
Since the nurse is documenting postoperative wound care, healing by primary intention is most likely the type of healing taking place, as this is the usual method for surgical incisions.