Wound Care Certification Exam Wound Care Certification Dressings and Topical Agents 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which characteristic BEST describes a hydrofiber (CMC) dressing compared to an alginate dressing?
- Hydrofiber dressings gel on contact and do not fall apart, reducing wound bed disruption on removal (Correct answer)
- Hydrofiber dressings have higher antimicrobial activity
- Hydrofiber dressings are appropriate only for dry wounds
- Hydrofiber dressings must be moistened before application
Correct answer: Hydrofiber dressings gel on contact and do not fall apart, reducing wound bed disruption on removal
Hydrofiber (carboxymethylcellulose) dressings form a cohesive gel that stays intact on removal, minimizing trauma and wound bed disruption compared to some alginates.
Question 2: A clinician is treating a clean, granulating wound on a patient receiving radiation therapy. Which topical agent should be used with CAUTION?
- Hydrogel
- Zinc oxide paste
- Petroleum-based ointment
- Silver-containing dressing (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Silver-containing dressing
Silver-containing dressings can interact with radiation fields and should be used with caution or removed before radiation treatments.
Question 3: Which dressing is considered MOST appropriate for packing a deep tunneling wound?
- Transparent film
- Rope/ribbon alginate or hydrofiber (Correct answer)
- Hydrocolloid wafer
- Non-adherent foam island dressing
Correct answer: Rope/ribbon alginate or hydrofiber
Rope or ribbon forms of alginate or hydrofiber dressings can be loosely packed into tunnels and cavities to absorb exudate while conforming to wound depth.
Question 4: What is the MAIN reason povidone-iodine is generally discouraged for routine use in chronic wounds?
- It stains the wound bed making assessment difficult
- It is cytotoxic to fibroblasts and keratinocytes at antiseptic concentrations (Correct answer)
- It has no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- It causes systemic antibiotic resistance
Correct answer: It is cytotoxic to fibroblasts and keratinocytes at antiseptic concentrations
Povidone-iodine at standard antiseptic concentrations is cytotoxic to the cells necessary for wound healing, including fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
Question 5: A composite dressing combines which layers into a single product?
- A wound contact layer, absorbent layer, and bacterial barrier (Correct answer)
- Only a contact layer and adhesive border
- An antimicrobial layer and hydrogel layer only
- A debridement layer and moisture-retentive layer
Correct answer: A wound contact layer, absorbent layer, and bacterial barrier
Composite dressings integrate a non-adherent wound contact layer, an absorbent middle layer, and an outer bacterial barrier into one product.
Question 6: A patient has a diabetic foot ulcer with mild-to-moderate exudate and no signs of infection. Which dressing would be MOST appropriate as a primary dressing?
- Dry gauze with daily changes
- Foam dressing with moisture vapor transmission (Correct answer)
- Sodium hypochlorite solution-moistened gauze
- Occlusive hydrocolloid left in place for 7 days
Correct answer: Foam dressing with moisture vapor transmission
Foam dressings maintain a moist healing environment and manage mild-to-moderate exudate effectively, making them appropriate for non-infected diabetic foot ulcers.
Question 7: Becaplermin (Regranex) gel is a recombinant form of which growth factor used in wound care?
- Epidermal growth factor (EGF)
- Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) (Correct answer)
- Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Correct answer: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB)
Becaplermin is a recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) indicated for non-infected neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers.
Wound Care Certification Exam Wound Care Certification Dressings and Topical Agents 4
Which characteristic BEST describes a hydrofiber (CMC) dressing compared to an alginate dressing?