CST CST Wound Care & Closure

Question 1

Which wound closure classification describes a clean wound that is closed immediately at the time of surgery?

Accepted Answer

Primary intention

Answer

Primary intention (primary closure) means the wound edges are approximated and closed surgically at the time of the procedure.

Question 2

What type of wound healing is used when a wound is left open to granulate from the bottom up due to contamination or infection risk?

Accepted Answer

Secondary intention

Answer

Secondary intention healing allows a contaminated or infected wound to granulate and epithelialize from the wound base upward without formal closure.

Question 3

A wound that is initially left open for a period of observation and then surgically closed after confirming no infection is an example of which closure method?

Accepted Answer

Tertiary intention (delayed primary closure)

Answer

Tertiary intention, or delayed primary closure, involves leaving a wound open temporarily before closing it surgically to reduce infection risk.

Question 4

Which layer of the abdominal wall is typically closed with a heavy absorbable or permanent suture to provide the strongest fascial closure?

Accepted Answer

Fascia (e.g., anterior rectus sheath)

Answer

The fascial layer provides the structural strength of the abdominal wall and is closed with strong absorbable or permanent suture to prevent hernia formation.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a retention (stay) suture used in abdominal closure?

Accepted Answer

To provide additional support to the wound closure and prevent dehiscence in high-risk patients

Answer

Retention sutures are large, widely placed sutures that provide reinforcement of the wound closure in patients at high risk for dehiscence (e.g., obese, malnourished).

(CST) Certified Surgery Technician Practice Test

(CST) Certified Surgery Technician Practice Test

CST CST Wound Care & Closure