The nurse is taking care of a postsurgical patient and notes the incision is clean and dry, with sutures intact.
The nurse further assesses that the wound is healing by:

Choice A rationale:

Documentation is important but not the first priority.

Choice B rationale:

Assessing the patient for any complaints or problems in the wound area is the first priority in NPWT treatment.

Choice C rationale:

Checking the setting on the NPWT unit is important but comes after assessing the patient.

Choice D rationale:

Observing the dressing area when assessing vital signs is part of the assessment process but not the first priority.

The correct answer is Choice D.

Choice A rationale: Leaving nonbleeding wounds open to air increases the risk of infection and delayed healing. Wounds need a moist environment to promote cell migration and collagen synthesis, essential for the initial inflammatory phase of healing.

Choice B rationale: Corticosteroids suppress the immune response and inflammation, which can delay wound healing. They inhibit leukocyte migration and fibroblast proliferation, which are crucial during the initial stage of the healing process.

Choice C rationale: Mechanical debridement is typically used for chronic wounds with necrotic tissue. In the initial stage of wound healing, it is not necessary and could damage newly formed tissue, delaying the healing process.

Choice D rationale: Oxygen therapy at 2L/min via nasal cannula enhances tissue oxygenation, promoting cellular activities such as collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and leukocyte function, which are critical during the initial inflammatory phase of wound healing.