Which statement best describes a chronic wound?

Which statement best describes a chronic wound?

• A. Heals in a timely manner with full recovery
• B. Healing delayed, remains in inflammatory phase, increased infection risk
• C. Heals primarily by primary intention with sutures
• D. Heals only by secondary intention

Answer: (B)

Chronic wounds are characterized by a failure to progress through the normal healing stages, lingering in a prolonged inflammatory phase. In a typical acute wound, inflammation gives way to the formation of granulation tissue, tissue proliferation, and eventual remodeling. But in chronic wounds, the inflammatory response persists, with ongoing release of inflammatory mediators and proteases that degrade the extracellular matrix and impair fibroblast and epithelial cell activity. This keeps the wound from closing and creates an environment prone to infection, which further delays healing. The other statements describe scenarios of timely healing or specific closure methods that aren’t characteristic of chronic wounds, which are defined by delayed healing and ongoing inflammation rather than normal timelines or particular closure techniques.

Chronic wounds are characterized by a failure to progress through the normal healing stages, lingering in a prolonged inflammatory phase. In a typical acute wound, inflammation gives way to the formation of granulation tissue, tissue proliferation, and eventual remodeling. But in chronic wounds, the inflammatory response persists, with ongoing release of inflammatory mediators and proteases that degrade the extracellular matrix and impair fibroblast and epithelial cell activity. This keeps the wound from closing and creates an environment prone to infection, which further delays healing. The other statements describe scenarios of timely healing or specific closure methods that aren’t characteristic of chronic wounds, which are defined by delayed healing and ongoing inflammation rather than normal timelines or particular closure techniques.