Integumentary System and Wounds Flashcards
7 cards from real NPTE-PT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Integumentary System and Wounds flashcards as text
A patient has a full-thickness wound on the sacrum measuring 4 cm × 3 cm × 2 cm deep. The wound is 80% granulation tissue and 20% slough. Which dressing combination is most appropriate?
Answer: Alginate rope to fill dead space and a foam secondary dressing
Deep wounds require a filler dressing (alginate rope) to manage exudate and eliminate dead space, with a secondary foam dressing to absorb drainage.
Which of the following is a cardinal sign differentiating infected cellulitis from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a patient with a lower extremity wound?
Answer: Fever, ascending red streaks (lymphangitis), and purulent wound drainage
Lymphangitis (ascending red streaks), fever, and purulent drainage are signs of spreading wound infection/cellulitis rather than DVT.
A PT is applying pulsed lavage with suction to a wound. Which situation would be a contraindication to this intervention?
Answer: Exposed blood vessels, nerves, or anastomotic sites within the wound
Pulsed lavage is contraindicated over exposed vital structures such as blood vessels, nerves, tendons, or surgical anastomoses due to the risk of damage.
Which skin condition is characterized by a chronic autoimmune blistering disorder primarily affecting skin folds and mucous membranes in older adults?
Answer: Pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disease affecting mucous membranes and skin in older adults, caused by antibodies against desmogleins.
A patient with a diabetic foot ulcer is classified as Wagner Grade 3. What does this indicate?
Answer: Deep ulcer with osteomyelitis or joint sepsis
Wagner Grade 3 indicates a deep ulcer complicated by osteomyelitis, abscess formation, or septic arthritis, requiring aggressive medical management.
A PT is evaluating the periwound skin and observes maceration. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Answer: Excessive wound exudate saturating the periwound skin
Maceration is caused by excessive moisture (typically from heavy wound exudate) that softens and breaks down periwound skin, making it white, soft, and friable.
Which factor most significantly impairs wound healing in a patient who is malnourished?
Answer: Impaired collagen synthesis due to inadequate protein and vitamin C
Protein deficiency impairs collagen synthesis, and vitamin C deficiency (a cofactor for proline hydroxylation) further weakens collagen crosslinking, delaying healing.