Certified Wound Specialist MCQ Flashcards

The ideal position to avoid developing a pressure ulcer is:

Answer: 30-degree tilt position, turning at least every 2 hours

The 30-degree tilt position is ideal because it distributes pressure away from bony prominences like the greater trochanter, shifting weight to the fleshy part of the buttock. Turning at least every two hours is crucial to prevent prolonged pressure on any single area, allowing for reperfusion and reducing the risk of tissue ischemia and breakdown, which are precursors to pressure ulcers.

The amount of protein needed in the diet to encourage wound healing is:

Answer: 1.25 to 1.5 g/kg per day

Protein is essential for all phases of wound healing, including collagen synthesis, tissue repair, and immune function. A higher protein intake, typically 1.25 to 1.5 g/kg per day, is recommended for individuals with wounds to support the increased metabolic demands of tissue regeneration and prevent protein-energy malnutrition, which can significantly impair healing.

If a wound has been in the inflammatory phase of healing for 10 days without progressing and the surrounding skin has remained erythematous and edamous, which of the following should the healthcare provider initially suspect?

Answer: Infection

A wound remaining in the inflammatory phase for an extended period (10 days) without progression, coupled with persistent erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) of the surrounding skin, strongly suggests an underlying infection. Infection prolongs inflammation, impairs the normal healing cascade, and prevents the wound from moving into the proliferative phase, making it the most likely initial suspicion.

Which of the following therapies is recommended as a first line of treatment for weepy, red, itchy atopic dermatitis?

Answer: Wet aluminum acetate compresses

Wet aluminum acetate compresses, such as Burow's solution, are recommended for acute, weepy, red, and itchy atopic dermatitis due to their astringent and antiseptic properties. They help to dry out oozing lesions, reduce inflammation, and provide a soothing effect, which can alleviate itching and promote healing of the compromised skin barrier.

Venous ulcers most frequently develop at:

Answer: medial malleolus

Venous ulcers most frequently develop in the 'gaiter area' of the lower leg, specifically around the medial malleolus. This location is highly susceptible to venous hypertension and pooling due to incompetent valves in the superficial or perforating veins, leading to extravasation of fluid, inflammation, and eventual skin breakdown characteristic of venous insufficiency.

Silver nitrate chemical cauterization is applied on wounds to:

Answer: treat hypergranulation

Silver nitrate is a chemical cauterizing agent primarily used in wound care to treat hypergranulation tissue, also known as proud flesh. This excessive granulation tissue can prevent epithelialization and wound closure, and silver nitrate helps to reduce its volume, allowing the wound edges to advance and facilitate proper healing.

How would a wound be classed if it initially healed as expected but then seemed to plateau and stayed the same for the second and third weeks?

Answer: Stunned wound

A 'stunned wound' describes a wound that initially progresses through the healing phases as expected but then plateaus and shows no further improvement for an extended period, such as several weeks. This term indicates that the wound has stalled in its healing process, often due to unidentified underlying factors that need to be addressed.