The nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day one from an abdominal surgery. The patient complains of a "popping sensation" and a wetness in her dressing. The nurse immediately suspects:
a. a wound infection.
b. the stitches came loose.
c. wound dehiscence.
d. wound crepitus.
ANS: C
Wound dehiscence, which usually occurs in connection with surgical incisions, is the partial or complete separation of the tissue layers during the healing process. This is an emergency situation. Stitches can come loose, but there is no popping sensation. Wound infections are characterized by redness, warmth, and drainage, and crepitus is air trapped under the skin.
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