The nurse has documented the following wound assessment: “Shallow, open, reddened ulcer with no drainage on the center of the right heel.” What stage is the wound?

Choice A reason: Inflammatory is the phase of wound healing that occurs at the time of injury and lasts about 35 days, because it is the first and immediate response to tissue damage. Inflammatory is the phase of wound healing that involves the activation of the immune system, the release of chemical mediators, the dilation of blood vessels, the increase of blood flow, the migration of white blood cells, and the formation of a clot. Inflammatory is the phase of wound healing that aims to control bleeding, prevent infection, and prepare the wound for healing.

Choice B reason: Proliferative is not the phase of wound healing that occurs at the time of injury and lasts about 35 days, but rather the phase of wound healing that occurs after the inflammatory phase and lasts about 23 weeks. Proliferative is the phase of wound healing that involves the growth and multiplication of new cells, the formation of granulation tissue, the synthesis of collagen, the contraction of the wound edges, and the development of epithelial tissue. Proliferative is the phase of wound healing that aims to fill the wound, restore the strength, and cover the defect.

Choice C reason: Maturation is not the phase of wound healing that occurs at the time of injury and lasts about 35 days, but rather the phase of wound healing that occurs after the proliferative phase and lasts about several months to years. Maturation is the phase of wound healing that involves the remodeling and reorganization of the collagen fibers, the reduction of scar tissue, the improvement of elasticity, and the restoration of function. Maturation is the phase of wound healing that aims to refine the wound, enhance the quality, and optimize the outcome.

Choice D reason: Intentional is not the phase of wound healing that occurs at the time of injury and lasts about 35 days, but rather a classification of wound healing that depends on the type and extent of tissue damage, the degree of contamination, and the method of closure. Intentional is a classification of wound healing that refers to wounds that are surgically created, have minimal tissue loss, are clean and sterile, and are closed by primary intention, which means that the wound edges are approximated with sutures, staples, or glue. Intentional is a classification of wound healing that results in faster healing, less scarring, and lower risk of infection.

Choice A reason: Determine whether it is temporary or permanent is not the nurse's priority action for a client with compromised immunity, because it is not the most urgent and relevant. Determining whether the compromised immunity is temporary or permanent is an important assessment, but it should be done after ensuring the safety and infection prevention of the client. Compromised immunity can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause, such as medication, disease, or genetic disorder.

Choice B reason: Take the client's vital signs every four hours is not the nurse's priority action for a client with compromised immunity, because it is not the most urgent and relevant. Taking the client's vital signs every four hours is an important monitoring, but it should be done after ensuring the safety and infection prevention of the client. Vital signs can indicate the general health status and the presence of infection or inflammation, such as fever, tachycardia, or hypotension.

Choice C reason: Teach the family members to receive the flu shot annually is not the nurse's priority action for a client with compromised immunity, because it is not the most urgent and relevant. Teaching the family members to receive the flu shot annually is an important education, but it should be done after ensuring the safety and infection prevention of the client. The flu shot is a vaccine that can protect the family members and the client from influenza, which can be a serious and potentially fatal infection for people with compromised immunity.

Choice D reason: Wash hands before entering the client's room is the nurse's priority action for a client with compromised immunity, because it is the most urgent and relevant. Washing hands before entering the client's room is a basic and essential infection prevention measure, which can protect the client from exposure to pathogens that can cause infection. People with compromised immunity have a weakened or impaired immune system, which makes them more susceptible and vulnerable to infection.