PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What does the inflammatory stage of wound healing primarily focus on?

1. Rebuilding collagen

2. Recruitment of inflammatory cells

3. Granulation tissue formation

4. Wound contraction

The correct answer is: Recruitment of inflammatory cells

The inflammatory stage of wound healing is primarily characterized by the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the site of injury. This initial phase is critical as it serves to halt any bleeding, prevent infection, and set the stage for subsequent healing processes. When a wound occurs, various inflammatory mediators are released, leading to the activation and migration of neutrophils and macrophages into the wound area. These cells are essential for clearing debris, bacteria, and dead tissue, which is vital for preventing infection and facilitating healing. The focus during this stage is not on rebuilding collagen, forming granulation tissue, or wound contraction, as these processes occur in later phases of wound healing. They are instead part of the proliferative and remodeling phases, which follow the inflammatory response. Understanding the inflammatory stage emphasizes the importance of the body's immune response in initiating the healing process and underscores that a successful transition to the next phases of healing relies on an effective inflammatory response.