Dehiscence in wound healing refers to the splitting or opening of a wound. Which of the following are risk factors predisposed to dehiscence?

Prepare for the Tissue Injury, Healing, and Pain Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Ensure you're ready for the exam!

Dehiscence happens when the wound edges separate because the tissue hasn’t gained enough tensile strength to stay closed. Factors that weaken healing or increase mechanical stress make this more likely. Poor nutrition lowers protein and collagen production, weakening the wound matrix. Infection introduces enzymes and inflammatory processes that break down tissue and disrupt healing. Tension on the wound adds mechanical strain that can overcome the developing scar. Diabetes impairs immune function, reduces blood flow, and slows healing, all of which raise the risk of the wound pulling apart. Obesity contributes to higher tension on the wound and a pro-inflammatory environment, also hindering proper healing.

So the best answer identifies risk factors that predispose to the wound opening, rather than describing an infected closed wound, excessive scar formation, or a wound that remains inflamed but closed, which are different scenarios.