Certified Wound Specialist MCQ Flashcards
7 cards from real CWS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Certified Wound Specialist MCQ flashcards as text
Which clinical feature BEST distinguishes a calciphylaxis wound from a standard venous leg ulcer?
Answer: Stellate, livedo-reticularis pattern with extremely painful necrosis
Calciphylaxis presents with stellate, extremely painful ischemic necrosis arising from a livedo-reticularis pattern, most often in patients with renal failure.
A patient undergoing radiation therapy develops moist desquamation. The MOST appropriate dressing is:
Answer: Non-adherent silicone or soft foam dressing
Non-adherent silicone dressings protect fragile irradiated skin without trauma on removal and maintain a moist environment to support re-epithelialization.
In biofilm management, the phrase 'disrupt and disperse' refers to:
Answer: Physically removing biofilm via debridement followed by antimicrobial application
Biofilm management requires physical disruption through debridement to break the matrix, followed immediately by antimicrobial agents to address dispersed planktonic bacteria.
Which factor is the STRONGEST independent predictor of impaired wound healing in a patient with a chronic wound?
Answer: Hemoglobin A1c above 8%
Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c >8%) impairs neutrophil function, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis, making it the strongest independent predictor of impaired healing.
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is characterized by which wound behavior that distinguishes it from infection?
Answer: Pathergy — wound enlargement following minor trauma or debridement
Pathergy, where minor trauma causes the wound to worsen or enlarge, is a hallmark of pyoderma gangrenosum and distinguishes it from infectious wounds.
The MOST effective nutritional supplement supported by evidence for pressure injury prevention and healing is:
Answer: Arginine, zinc, and vitamin C combined
Combination supplements containing arginine (supports collagen and nitric oxide production), zinc (cofactor for cell proliferation), and vitamin C (collagen hydroxylation) have the strongest evidence.
A wound demonstrates 20% reduction in area after 4 weeks of standard care. According to evidence-based benchmarks, this indicates:
Answer: Inadequate progress — the 4-week benchmark is at least 40% reduction
Evidence-based wound healing benchmarks indicate that wounds failing to reduce in area by at least 40–50% over 4 weeks should trigger reassessment and treatment modification.