Wound Care Certification Exam Wound Care Certification Dressings and Topical Agents 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient has a heavily exudating venous leg ulcer. Which dressing type is MOST appropriate to manage excess moisture?
- Hydrocolloid
- Alginate (Correct answer)
- Transparent film
- Petrolatum gauze
Correct answer: Alginate
Alginate dressings are highly absorbent and ideal for heavily exudating wounds such as venous leg ulcers.
Question 2: Which topical antimicrobial is contraindicated in patients with sulfa drug allergies?
- Mupirocin
- Silver sulfadiazine (Correct answer)
- Cadexomer iodine
- Bacitracin
Correct answer: Silver sulfadiazine
Silver sulfadiazine contains a sulfonamide component and is contraindicated in patients with sulfa allergies.
Question 3: A transparent film dressing is MOST appropriate for which wound type?
- Stage 3 pressure injury with heavy exudate
- Superficial abrasion with minimal exudate (Correct answer)
- Infected surgical wound
- Cavity wound requiring packing
Correct answer: Superficial abrasion with minimal exudate
Transparent film dressings are semi-permeable and best suited for superficial wounds with little to no exudate.
Question 4: Cadexomer iodine is distinguished from povidone-iodine primarily because it:
- Is more cytotoxic to fibroblasts
- Releases iodine slowly and continuously (Correct answer)
- Requires daily dressing changes
- Cannot be used on infected wounds
Correct answer: Releases iodine slowly and continuously
Cadexomer iodine releases iodine in a slow, sustained manner, reducing cytotoxicity while maintaining antimicrobial activity.
Question 5: A wound care nurse selects a foam dressing for a moderate-exudate wound. What is the PRIMARY advantage of foam over gauze in this situation?
- Foam is cheaper than gauze
- Foam provides a moist wound environment and thermal insulation (Correct answer)
- Foam eliminates the need for secondary dressings
- Foam has inherent antimicrobial properties
Correct answer: Foam provides a moist wound environment and thermal insulation
Foam dressings maintain a moist healing environment and provide thermal insulation, which promotes wound healing compared to gauze.
Question 6: Which dressing should be AVOIDED on a dry, necrotic eschar when autolytic debridement is the goal?
- Hydrogel sheet
- Transparent film
- Dry gauze (Correct answer)
- Hydrocolloid
Correct answer: Dry gauze
Dry gauze desiccates tissue and impedes autolytic debridement, making it counterproductive for softening dry eschar.
Question 7: When applying a hydrocolloid dressing, the clinician should ensure the dressing extends at least how far beyond the wound edge?
- 0.5 cm
- 1–2 cm (Correct answer)
- 3–4 cm
- 5 cm
Correct answer: 1–2 cm
Hydrocolloid dressings should overlap the intact periwound skin by 1–2 cm to ensure an adequate seal and prevent leakage.
Wound Care Certification Exam Wound Care Certification Dressings and Topical Agents 2
A patient has a heavily exudating venous leg ulcer.
Which dressing type is MOST appropriate to manage excess moisture?