Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

How does moist wound healing promote re-epithelialization?

1. Stimulates cytokine release

2. Allows for cell migration across the wound

3. Increases microbial growth

4. Enhances necrosis process

The correct answer is: Allows for cell migration across the wound

Moist wound healing plays a crucial role in promoting re-epithelialization primarily by allowing for cell migration across the wound. When a wound is maintained in a moist environment, it creates an optimal condition for cells, particularly keratinocytes, to move and proliferate. This moisture not only helps in keeping the wound bed a suitable temperature but also reduces the formation of crusts that can act as barriers to cellular movement. Furthermore, the presence of moisture prevents the wound from drying out, which is vital because dehydration can inhibit cellular activities and healing processes. The moist environment also facilitates the transport of nutrients and growth factors that are essential for cell migration and proliferation, ultimately leading to improved and faster re-epithelialization. The other options do not directly contribute to this process. While cytokine release can be a part of the healing process, it is not the primary factor in facilitating re-epithelialization like cell migration is. Increased microbial growth is counterproductive to healing as it can lead to infection, while the enhancement of the necrosis process would delay healing rather than support it. Thus, the importance of enabling cell migration across the wound is paramount in effective moist wound healing practices.