Which assessment findings would alert the nurse of an impending wound dehiscence on a patient with an abdominal incision on postoperative day 5?
A) Incision edges are well-approximated.
B) Abdominal dressing has purulent drainage.
C) Incision has a healing ridge.
D) Incision is pink with scant serous drainage.
B) Abdominal dressing has purulent drainage.
Explanation: A) Well-approximated wound edges is a sign of a well-healed incision.
B) Clinical manifestations of impending wound disruption include noticeable signs of infection, absence of a healing ridge by the fifth to ninth postoperative day, seroma or hematoma formation, and an increase in serous discharge. In some instances, individuals may report that they felt something "give way or pop." Purulent drainage is a sign of infection, placing the patient at risk for dehiscence.
C) An incision with a healing ridge within the 5th-9th days is a sign of a well-healed incision.
D) A pink incision indicates granulation tissue and is a sign of a well-healed incision. While an increase in serous drainage may increase the risk for dehiscence, a scant amount of serous drainage may be expected.
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