Wound Care Certification Exam Wound Care Certification Pressure Injury Prevention 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient in the operating room is undergoing a 6-hour spinal surgery in the prone position. Which intraoperative intervention BEST reduces pressure injury risk?
- Applying a thick blanket under the patient
- Using a pressure-redistributing OR overlay and padding all bony prominences (Correct answer)
- Repositioning the patient every 30 minutes during surgery
- Applying moisture barrier cream to all skin surfaces preoperatively
Correct answer: Using a pressure-redistributing OR overlay and padding all bony prominences
Pressure-redistributing OR overlays combined with careful padding of bony prominences reduce sustained pressure during prolonged surgical procedures.
Question 2: Which statement BEST describes the concept of 'microclimate' as it relates to pressure injury prevention?
- The temperature and humidity of the room where the patient is cared for
- The temperature and moisture level at the skin-support surface interface (Correct answer)
- The patient's core body temperature during fever episodes
- The humidity inside wound dressings applied to existing wounds
Correct answer: The temperature and moisture level at the skin-support surface interface
Microclimate refers to the temperature and humidity at the interface between the patient's skin and the support surface, which affects skin integrity.
Question 3: A nurse is completing a Braden Scale assessment. The patient can perceive pressure-related discomfort throughout the body but is confined to bed. What Braden subscale scores would reflect this scenario?
- Sensory Perception = 4, Activity = 2 (Correct answer)
- Sensory Perception = 1, Activity = 4
- Sensory Perception = 4, Activity = 4
- Sensory Perception = 2, Activity = 2
Correct answer: Sensory Perception = 4, Activity = 2
A Sensory Perception score of 4 (no impairment) and Activity score of 2 (chairfast/bedrest) reflect intact sensation with restricted physical activity.
Question 4: Which patient population has the HIGHEST risk for medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPIs)?
- Ambulatory outpatient adults on oral medications only
- Critically ill patients with multiple monitoring and therapeutic devices (Correct answer)
- Pediatric patients admitted for elective tonsillectomy
- Patients receiving routine post-surgical care for appendectomy
Correct answer: Critically ill patients with multiple monitoring and therapeutic devices
Critically ill ICU patients have the highest MDRPI risk due to the large number of lines, tubes, and monitoring devices in contact with skin.
Question 5: An alert patient with spinal cord injury at C6 asks about self-pressure relief strategies in a manual wheelchair. Which technique is MOST effective for sacral pressure relief?
- Forward trunk lean for 60 seconds every 15–30 minutes (Correct answer)
- Lateral trunk lean alternating sides every hour
- Standing pivot transfer every 2 hours
- Pushing up off armrests to lift the body every 30 minutes
Correct answer: Forward trunk lean for 60 seconds every 15–30 minutes
A forward trunk lean of 60 seconds every 15–30 minutes effectively reduces ischial/sacral interface pressure in wheelchair users who cannot perform full push-ups.
Question 6: What is the recommended frequency of repositioning for a high-risk patient on a standard hospital foam mattress who cannot reposition independently?
- Every 4 hours
- Every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Every 6 hours
- Only when the patient requests repositioning
Correct answer: Every 2 hours
High-risk patients on standard foam mattresses should be repositioned at least every 2 hours to prevent sustained tissue ischemia.
Question 7: A patient with a sacral pressure injury is being discharged home with a family caregiver. Which element is MOST critical to include in the caregiver education plan?
- The history of how the wound developed in the hospital
- Hands-on demonstration of repositioning technique, skin inspection, and when to call for help (Correct answer)
- A list of all wound care products available at local pharmacies
- Instructions to keep the wound covered with an occlusive dressing at all times
Correct answer: Hands-on demonstration of repositioning technique, skin inspection, and when to call for help
Hands-on return demonstration of repositioning and skin inspection ensures caregivers can perform the skills safely and recognize deterioration.
Wound Care Certification Exam Wound Care Certification Pressure Injury Prevention 4
A patient in the operating room is undergoing a 6-hour spinal surgery in the prone position.
Which intraoperative intervention BEST reduces pressure injury risk?