Practice Test Geeks(ABFAS) American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery Practice Test
← All ABFAS Flashcard Decks

Postoperative Care and Wound Management Flashcards

7 cards from real ABFAS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Postoperative Care and Wound Management flashcards as text

  1. What is the standard antibiotic prophylaxis used for clean foot and ankle surgical procedures?

    Answer: First-generation cephalosporin (cefazolin)

    Cefazolin, a first-generation cephalosporin, is the standard prophylactic antibiotic for clean orthopedic procedures because it covers the most common skin pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus.

  2. Which patient population requires the most modified wound care protocols and longer healing times after foot and ankle surgery?

    Answer: Diabetic patients

    Diabetic patients have impaired wound healing due to peripheral neuropathy, vasculopathy, and immune dysfunction, necessitating more intensive and modified postoperative wound care protocols.

  3. What is the most appropriate initial treatment for a superficial wound dehiscence after foot surgery?

    Answer: Wet-to-dry dressing changes to promote secondary intention healing

    Wet-to-dry dressing changes encourage granulation tissue formation and allow healing by secondary intention, which is the appropriate conservative first-line approach for superficial dehiscence.

  4. What does the RICE protocol stand for in acute postoperative foot and ankle management?

    Answer: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation

    RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation — the four key components used to manage acute postoperative pain and swelling.

  5. Which factor most significantly impairs postoperative wound healing in foot and ankle surgery patients?

    Answer: Tobacco smoking

    Tobacco smoking causes peripheral vasoconstriction and tissue hypoxia, significantly impairing wound healing and increasing the risk of infection and dehiscence.

  6. What does a positive Thompson test indicate in the context of postoperative foot and ankle care?

    Answer: Achilles tendon rupture or re-rupture

    A positive Thompson test — absence of plantar flexion when the calf is squeezed with the patient prone — confirms Achilles tendon rupture or re-rupture postoperatively.

  7. What is the recommended timeline for initiating formal physical therapy after total ankle replacement surgery?

    Answer: 6–8 weeks postoperatively

    Physical therapy for total ankle replacement typically begins at 6–8 weeks postoperatively, once wound healing is complete and early bone-implant integration has occurred.