What should a nurse monitor to determine the readiness for delayed primary closure of a wound?

Monitoring for the absence of edema, infection, or foreign matter is vital in determining the readiness for delayed primary closure of a wound. This assessment ensures that the wound environment is optimal for healing. Edema can indicate inflammation or increased fluid accumulation that could hinder closure, while signs of infection such as redness, heat, or drainage must be absent to prevent complications that could arise from closing a wound too soon. Additionally, the presence of foreign matter can lead to infection and impair the healing process. Thus, confirming that these factors are not present is critical before proceeding with any closure to promote effective healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Other factors, while important in the overall healing process, do not directly indicate readiness for closure. For instance, the appearance of new skin or specific cell types can be part of the healing continuum but do not necessarily mean that the wound is ready for closure.