PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What are the three stages of wound healing?

1. Inflammatory, neovascularization, and tissue remodeling

2. Inflammatory, epithelialization, and tissue remodeling

3. Granulation, epithelialization, and tissue remodeling

4. Inflammatory, granulation, and remodeling

The correct answer is: Inflammatory, epithelialization, and tissue remodeling

The stages of wound healing are crucial for understanding how the body repairs itself after an injury. The correct sequence includes the inflammatory phase, epithelialization, and remodeling. The inflammatory phase is the body's immediate response to injury, where it initiates healing processes through increased blood flow and immune response. This phase helps to clear any debris and pathogens to prepare the wound for further healing. Following this is epithelialization, where cells migrate to cover the wound. This is a critical step for restoring the integrity of the skin and prevents fluid loss and infection. The new epithelial cells create a barrier that is essential for protecting underlying tissues. The final phase is remodeling, which can take place over months to years after the initial injury. During remodeling, the wound matures, collagen is reorganized, and the skin regains strength and elasticity. This phase is essential as the strength of the scar tissue improves over time. Understanding these stages is important for effective patient care and for anticipating complications such as delayed healing or infection. Other options may include phases that are relevant but do not accurately reflect the commonly recognized stages of wound healing as per standard medical education.