Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

What type of tissue is typically present during the proliferative phase of full-thickness wound healing?

1. Necrotic tissue

2. Red granulation

3. Fibrotic tissue

4. Overgranulated tissue

The correct answer is: Red granulation

During the proliferative phase of full-thickness wound healing, the predominant type of tissue that forms is red granulation tissue. This phase is characterized by the formation of new tissue as part of the body’s natural healing processes following an injury. Red granulation tissue is rich in new capillaries, collagen fibers, and various immune cells, which are essential for effective wound healing. The bright red color is due to the high density of blood vessels in this new tissue. Granulation tissue serves several critical functions: it helps fill in the wound, provides a scaffold for new cell growth, and plays a vital role in protecting against infection. This tissue is temporary and will eventually be replaced by scar tissue as the wound matures and heals. While necrotic tissue refers to dead tissue that must be removed for proper healing, fibrotic tissue relates to the later stages of wound healing when scar tissue is formed after the initial granulation tissue matures. Overgranulated tissue represents an abnormality where there is excessive granulation, which can hinder healing rather than support it. Therefore, the presence of red granulation tissue is a hallmark of the proliferative phase and signifies effective healing progress.