Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) Practice Exam

What is the primary goal during the proliferative phase of wound healing?

1. Promote epithelialization

2. Cleanse the wound bed

3. Maximize tensile strength

4. Control bacterial load

The correct answer is: Promote epithelialization

The primary goal during the proliferative phase of wound healing is to promote epithelialization. This phase typically follows the inflammatory phase and focuses on the formation of new tissue to replace lost or damaged tissue. During this stage, key processes such as angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), fibroplasia (the production of collagen and connective tissue), and epithelial cell proliferation occur. Epithelialization is crucial because it leads to the closure of the wound, restoring the skin's barrier function and helping to prevent infection. The migration of keratinocytes across the wound bed is essential in re-establishing the epidermal layer. While cleansing the wound bed, maximizing tensile strength, and controlling bacterial load are all important considerations in wound management, they are more relevant during different phases of healing or as supportive care measures rather than as primary objectives of the proliferative phase.