RNPedia: PNLE Nursing Practice 1 Test 1 Practice Test

When a wound is not closed surgically and healing occurs by filling in with granulation tissue, with epithelial cells migrating from the wound bed, you’re looking at secondary intention healing. The edges are not approximated, so the wound heals from the bottom up through granulation tissue, contraction, and later epithelial resurfacing. This takes longer and usually results in more scar tissue and a higher risk of infection compared with wounds that are closed primarily.

By contrast, healing with edges brought together by sutures or staples is primary intention healing—minimal granulation, rapid closure, and little scarring. A delayed closing approach, where the wound is left open initially to drain or allow cleaning and then closed later, describes delayed primary (tertiary) healing.