American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam with detailed quizzes. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions to master the ABS QE topics. Get all the hints and explanations you need to succeed on your first attempt!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What is the duration of the inflammatory phase in wound healing?

  1. 1-3 days

  2. 1-10 days

  3. 5-21 days

  4. 3 weeks to 1 year

The correct answer is: 1-10 days

The duration of the inflammatory phase in wound healing typically lasts from one to several days, with most sources citing that this phase generally spans 1 to 10 days post-injury. During this phase, various cellular and biochemical processes are initiated in response to tissue damage. These include the influx of inflammatory cells such as neutrophils and macrophages, which play a crucial role in combating infection and removing debris from the wound site. The inflammatory phase is essential for laying the groundwork for the subsequent phases of healing. Though the intensity and length can vary based on the type of wound, location, and individual patient factors, the defined time frame of 1 to 10 days aligns well with standard models of wound healing processes. This period signifies not only the body's immediate response but also sets the stage for the transition towards the proliferative phase.