CHS CHS Wound Care & Tissue Healing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of wound is considered a primary indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS)?
- Superficial abrasion
- Diabetic foot ulcer (Wagner Grade III or higher) (Correct answer)
- Stage I pressure ulcer
- Minor surgical incision
Correct answer: Diabetic foot ulcer (Wagner Grade III or higher)
UHMS recognizes diabetic foot ulcers at Wagner Grade III or higher as a primary indication for HBOT when standard wound care has failed.
Question 2: What is the primary mechanism by which HBOT promotes wound healing?
- Reduces wound temperature to prevent bacterial growth
- Increases tissue oxygen tension to stimulate angiogenesis and collagen synthesis (Correct answer)
- Directly kills bacteria by high pressure alone
- Removes necrotic tissue through osmotic pressure
Correct answer: Increases tissue oxygen tension to stimulate angiogenesis and collagen synthesis
HBOT raises tissue pO2 levels, which drives fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) essential for wound repair.
Question 3: Which oxygen partial pressure is typically required at the wound bed to support optimal fibroblast function?
- Greater than 30 mmHg (Correct answer)
- Less than 5 mmHg
- Exactly 10 mmHg
- Greater than 100 mmHg
Correct answer: Greater than 30 mmHg
Tissue oxygen tension above 30 mmHg is the threshold needed to support fibroblast activity, collagen deposition, and leukocyte killing of bacteria.
Question 4: A CHS technologist notes that a patient's transcutaneous oxygen measurement (TCOM) at the wound site is 8 mmHg on room air. What does this finding indicate?
- Excellent wound healing potential
- Severely compromised tissue perfusion unlikely to heal without intervention (Correct answer)
- Normal baseline value requiring no further assessment
- Patient is ready for discharge from HBOT
Correct answer: Severely compromised tissue perfusion unlikely to heal without intervention
A periwound TCOM below 20 mmHg indicates critical ischemia, and values below 30 mmHg are associated with poor spontaneous healing potential.
Question 5: What is the Wagner Classification Grade that typically represents a full-thickness wound with exposed tendon or joint capsule in a diabetic patient?
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3 (Correct answer)
- Grade 4
Correct answer: Grade 3
Wagner Grade 3 denotes a deep ulcer with abscess, osteomyelitis, or joint sepsis, including wounds exposing tendon, capsule, or bone.
Question 6: Which post-HBOT wound care practice is recommended to maintain the oxygen benefit after treatment?
- Leave the wound open to air for maximum oxygenation
- Apply a moist wound healing dressing to maintain a conducive healing environment (Correct answer)
- Pack the wound tightly with dry gauze
- Apply ice packs to reduce inflammation immediately
Correct answer: Apply a moist wound healing dressing to maintain a conducive healing environment
Moist wound healing dressings maintain optimal wound bed moisture balance and protect the gains made during HBOT sessions.
CHS CHS Wound Care & Tissue Healing 1
Which type of wound is considered a primary indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS)?