Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

What is one major indicator of effective moist wound healing?

1. Increased dryness

2. Promotion of scab formation

3. Cell migration across the wound

4. Color changes in surrounding tissue

The correct answer is: Cell migration across the wound

One major indicator of effective moist wound healing is cell migration across the wound. In the healing process, moisture helps to facilitate a variety of cellular activities that are critical for wound closure. The presence of moisture allows for the movement of keratinocytes—skin cells that migrate towards the wound site to re-establish the epidermal barrier. When the wound environment is adequately moist, it also promotes optimal conditions for the proliferation of fibroblasts and the formation of granulation tissue, both essential elements for healing. Cell migration is integral not just for re-epithelialization but also for the overall healing process, and its occurrence signifies that the wound is in an environment conducive to healing. In contrast, increased dryness could lead to desiccation and slower healing, while scab formation may indicate that the wound is drying out instead of healing properly. Color changes in the surrounding tissue can have various meanings but do not directly indicate the effectiveness of the moist wound healing process as clearly as cell migration does.