Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

What characteristic of a healing incision should be evident between post op days 5 and 9?

1. Redness

2. Purulent discharge

3. Healing ridge

4. Complete closure

The correct answer is: Healing ridge

A healing ridge is a characteristic that indicates proper wound healing and is typically evident between postoperative days 5 and 9. During this timeframe, the body is actively healing, and collagen deposition occurs, leading to the formation of this firm, raised area along the incision line. The presence of a healing ridge demonstrates that the wound is progressing and that granulation tissue is becoming more organized as it matures. In contrast, redness may be present but needs to be assessed for signs of excessive inflammation or infection, which can complicate healing. Purulent discharge is indicative of infection and would not be a normal characteristic of healing; instead, it would require further investigation and intervention. Complete closure of the incision may not be expected until later stages of healing when sutures are removed, and the healing process is more advanced. Thus, observing a healing ridge serves as a positive sign of wound healing during the specified postoperative period.