Wound Care Certification Exam Wound Care Certification Dressings and Topical Agents 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with a foam interface, which dressing change interval is standard for most chronic wounds?
- Every 12 hours
- Every 24 hours
- Every 48–72 hours (Correct answer)
- Once weekly
Correct answer: Every 48–72 hours
Standard NPWT foam dressing changes are typically performed every 48–72 hours to balance granulation tissue stimulation with patient comfort.
Question 2: A wound exhibiting signs of biofilm (recalcitrant to treatment, surface glycocalyx) would BEST benefit from which combination approach?
- Dry dressing + oral antibiotics alone
- Mechanical debridement + topical antimicrobial dressing (Correct answer)
- Hydrogel only to rehydrate the biofilm
- Transparent film dressing to maintain occlusion
Correct answer: Mechanical debridement + topical antimicrobial dressing
Biofilm management requires physical disruption through debridement combined with an antimicrobial dressing to reduce recolonization.
Question 3: Which topical agent is considered appropriate for use in wounds on patients with thyroid disorders, with CAUTION?
- Silver sulfadiazine
- Mupirocin ointment
- Iodine-based products (Correct answer)
- Honey dressings
Correct answer: Iodine-based products
Iodine-based products can be absorbed systemically and affect thyroid function, so they require caution in patients with thyroid disorders.
Question 4: A clinician notes that a wound's exudate has changed from serous to seropurulent. This change MOST likely indicates:
- Wound is entering the proliferative phase
- Increasing bacterial burden or wound infection (Correct answer)
- The dressing is no longer absorbing properly
- Normal collagen remodeling activity
Correct answer: Increasing bacterial burden or wound infection
A change to seropurulent or purulent exudate is a clinical sign of increasing bacterial burden, local infection, or systemic infection.
Question 5: Antimicrobial dressings containing polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) are BEST described as:
- A type of antibiotic that induces bacterial resistance rapidly
- A broad-spectrum antiseptic that disrupts bacterial cell membranes (Correct answer)
- An enzyme that selectively digests biofilm matrix
- A growth factor that stimulates re-epithelialization
Correct answer: A broad-spectrum antiseptic that disrupts bacterial cell membranes
PHMB is a broad-spectrum antiseptic that disrupts bacterial cell membranes and is associated with a low risk of resistance development.
Question 6: A wound care specialist is treating a patient with a skin graft donor site. Which dressing is MOST commonly used to promote re-epithelialization and minimize pain?
- Dry gauze bolster
- Non-adherent silicone or petrolatum-impregnated dressing (Correct answer)
- Calcium alginate rope packing
- Zinc oxide paste wrap
Correct answer: Non-adherent silicone or petrolatum-impregnated dressing
Non-adherent dressings such as silicone or petrolatum-impregnated gauze minimize trauma and pain at donor sites while supporting re-epithelialization.
Question 7: Which statement CORRECTLY describes the use of enzymatic debridement agents (e.g., collagenase) in wound care?
- They are applied to intact eschar without cross-hatching and act instantly
- They selectively digest devitalized collagen and should not be combined with silver or iodine agents (Correct answer)
- They require a dry wound environment to activate
- They are contraindicated in the presence of any exudate
Correct answer: They selectively digest devitalized collagen and should not be combined with silver or iodine agents
Collagenase selectively digests denatured collagen in necrotic tissue but its activity is inhibited by heavy metals such as silver and iodine-based products.
Wound Care Certification Exam Wound Care Certification Dressings and Topical Agents 5
When using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with a foam interface, which dressing change interval is standard for most chronic wounds?