A patient who underwent abdominal surgery 7 days ago comes to the OPD with the wound condition shown in the image below. This indicates which condition?

1. A

   Partial wound dehiscence

2. B

   Complete wound dehiscence

3. C

   Wound healing with primary intention

4. D

   Secondary intention healing

Appeared in: NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Explanation

• The image shows a surgical incision where the wound edges have separated, but not completely.
• This condition, where the superficial layers of a wound separate, is defined as partial wound dehiscence.
• It is a complication of wound healing, distinct from normal healing processes or complete separation of all wound layers.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option B: Complete wound dehiscence involves the separation of all layers of the wound, including the deep fascia. The image only shows a separation of the superficial layers, not the entire wound.
• Option C: Wound healing by primary intention describes the normal, uncomplicated healing of a clean, sutured wound where the edges remain well-approximated (closed). The image clearly shows a separation, which is a complication, not normal healing.
• Option D: Secondary intention healing occurs when a wound with significant tissue loss is left open to heal from the bottom up by granulation. The wound in the image was surgically closed with sutures, indicating an initial plan for primary intention healing.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Complications of Wound Healing as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Recognizing wound dehiscence is a critical nursing skill. Prompt identification and intervention can prevent progression to evisceration, a surgical emergency.
• Nursing interventions focus on reducing strain on the incision, preventing infection, and supporting the patient. This includes teaching the patient how to splint the incision with a pillow when coughing or moving.
• Risk factors for dehiscence include obesity, poor nutrition, infection, and conditions that increase intra-abdominal pressure (e.g., chronic cough). Nurses must assess for these risks in all postoperative patients.

How to Approach the Question

• First, carefully analyze the image provided. Identify the key features: a surgical incision, sutures, and an area where the wound edges are separated.
• Note the extent of the separation. Is it the entire wound or just a portion? Are deep tissues or organs visible?
• Next, review the options provided. Relate your visual findings to the definitions of each option.
• Option A, 'Partial wound dehiscence,' describes a partial separation of wound layers, which matches the image.
• Option B, 'Complete wound dehiscence,' is incorrect because the entire wound is not separated.
• Options C and D describe types of healing processes, not a complication. The image shows a complication of what was intended to be primary intention healing.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Complications of Wound Healing
• Stem keywords: image, surgical wound, sutures, separation
• Lead-in keywords: what does it indicate
• Clinical cues: The visual evidence of a sutured wound with a central gap is the key cue for identifying a complication in the healing process.

Question ID

QhZ5aZVjqNnUuWHmDbt8gB

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 6 p. 74-76

E6 Gynecology Williams p. 65-88