Which statement about smoking and wound healing is true?

Which statement about smoking and wound healing is true?

• A. Smoking causes vasodilation increasing tissue perfusion.
• B. Smoking causes vasoconstriction reducing tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery, slowing healing.
• C. Smoking has no effect on wound healing.
• D. Smoking improves oxygen delivery to tissues.

Answer: (B)

Smoking impairs wound healing by reducing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the wound. Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, narrowing blood vessels and lowering tissue perfusion. At the same time, carbon monoxide from smoke binds to hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin and reducing the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen. Wound healing relies on adequate oxygen for energy, collagen synthesis, fibroblast function, and immune defense, so both less perfusion and hypoxia slow healing and raise infection risk. That’s why the statement about smoking causing vasoconstriction reducing tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery, slowing healing, is true. The other options imply vasodilation, no effect, or improved oxygen delivery, which contradict the mechanisms involved.

Smoking impairs wound healing by reducing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the wound. Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, narrowing blood vessels and lowering tissue perfusion. At the same time, carbon monoxide from smoke binds to hemoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin and reducing the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen. Wound healing relies on adequate oxygen for energy, collagen synthesis, fibroblast function, and immune defense, so both less perfusion and hypoxia slow healing and raise infection risk. That’s why the statement about smoking causing vasoconstriction reducing tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery, slowing healing, is true. The other options imply vasodilation, no effect, or improved oxygen delivery, which contradict the mechanisms involved.