NPTE-PTA Integumentary System 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Lymphedema is best managed with which PT intervention?
- Ice massage
- Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) (Correct answer)
- Compression-free elevation only
- Ultrasound
Correct answer: Complete decongestive therapy (CDT)
Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) combines manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, exercise, and skin care.
Question 2: A patient with diabetes has a neuropathic ulcer on the plantar surface of the foot. The wound bed typically appears:
- Necrotic with eschar
- Pale and poorly perfused
- Well-granulated with minimal exudate (Correct answer)
- Boggy with excessive exudate
Correct answer: Well-granulated with minimal exudate
Neuropathic (diabetic) ulcers typically have a well-granulated or callused wound bed because perfusion is often intact, unlike arterial ulcers.
Question 3: Hydrotherapy (whirlpool) is contraindicated for which wound type?
- Infected wounds
- Granulating wounds (Correct answer)
- Arterial ulcers
- All of the above
Correct answer: Granulating wounds
Whirlpool is contraindicated for granulating wounds because the turbulence and maceration can damage new tissue.
Question 4: Which color wound bed indicates necrotic, non-viable tissue that requires debridement?
- Red
- Yellow/green slough
- Black eschar (Correct answer)
- Pink epithelium
Correct answer: Black eschar
Black eschar indicates hard, dried necrotic tissue that must be debrided before wound healing can progress.
Question 5: Compression stockings for venous insufficiency should provide what level of pressure at the ankle?
- 5–10 mmHg
- 10–20 mmHg
- 20–30 mmHg (Correct answer)
- 40–50 mmHg
Correct answer: 20–30 mmHg
Standard therapeutic compression stockings for venous insufficiency provide 20–30 mmHg of pressure at the ankle.
Question 6: The Wagner classification system grades:
- Pressure injuries
- Burns
- Diabetic foot ulcers (Correct answer)
- Venous ulcers
Correct answer: Diabetic foot ulcers
The Wagner grading system (0–5) classifies diabetic foot ulcers by depth and presence of infection or gangrene.
NPTE-PTA Integumentary System 2
Lymphedema is best managed with which PT intervention?