A nurse is caring for a patient with a wound. Which assessment data will be most important for the nurse to gather with regard to wound healing?

A) Muscular strength assessment
B) Pulse oximetry assessment
C) Sensation assessment
D) Sleep assessment

Oxygen fuels the cellular functions essential to the healing process; the ability to perfuse tissues with adequate amounts of oxygenated blood is critical in wound healing. Pulse oximetry measures the oxygen saturation of blood. Assessment of muscular strength and sensation, although useful for fitness and mobility testing, does not provide any data with regard to wound healing. Sleep, although important for rest and for integration of learning and restoration of cognitive function, does not provide any data with regard to wound healing.