Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

Which type of wound closure has a higher risk for infection and recurrence?

1. Primary intention

2. Secondary intention

3. Delayed primary intention

4. Immediate closure

The correct answer is: Delayed primary intention

The choice of delayed primary intention involves closing a wound after a certain period of time, typically allowing for an initial period during which the wound is left open. This method is often used for wounds that are at high risk for infection or that have significant contamination or tissue loss. By allowing the wound to remain open initially, any infectious material can be drained away and the overall condition of the wound can be assessed before closure. However, this approach can lead to a higher risk for infection because the wound is open to the environment for a longer duration, which can lead to exposure to pathogens. Additionally, once the wound is closed after this delay, there may be a higher chance of recurrence or complications due to the initial contamination and healing dynamics involved. In contrast, primary intention involves direct closure of clean wounds with sutures, staples, or adhesive strips, which typically has a lower infection risk, while secondary intention allows for healing from the bottom up and is often used for more complicated or contaminated wounds. Immediate closure, similarly, minimizes the time the wound is exposed and usually results in lower infection rates. Thus, delayed primary intention entails a careful balance of risks that can increase the chances of infection and recurrence compared to other closure methods.