Certified Wound Specialist Flashcards
7 cards from real CWS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Certified Wound Specialist flashcards as text
Which cell type is primarily responsible for wound contraction during the proliferative phase?
Answer: Myofibroblasts
Myofibroblasts, differentiated from fibroblasts under TGF-β stimulation, contain actin microfilaments that generate the contractile force to close wounds.
A patient with a diabetic foot ulcer has a probe-to-bone test that is positive. What does this most likely indicate?
Answer: Osteomyelitis
A positive probe-to-bone test (ability to reach bone with a sterile probe) has a high positive predictive value for osteomyelitis in diabetic foot ulcers.
Which negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) setting is most commonly used for general wound management?
Answer: -125 mmHg continuous
The standard NPWT setting of -125 mmHg continuous has the most evidence supporting wound healing, perfusion improvement, and exudate management.
In periwound skin assessment, maceration is best described as:
Answer: White, soft, waterlogged skin caused by excess moisture
Maceration occurs when periwound skin is excessively exposed to moisture, causing it to become white, soft, and fragile, increasing the risk of wound enlargement.
Which condition is a contraindication to the use of negative pressure wound therapy?
Answer: Wound with exposed untreated osteomyelitis
Untreated osteomyelitis is a contraindication to NPWT because the therapy could spread infection further into bone and surrounding tissue without addressing the underlying infection.
A wound that has not decreased in area by at least 40-50% after 4 weeks of optimal treatment is best described as:
Answer: A stalled or chronic wound requiring reassessment
Failure to achieve ≥40-50% wound area reduction in 4 weeks is a validated predictor of non-healing and signals the need to reassess the treatment plan.
Which type of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) indication has the strongest evidence in wound care?
Answer: Wagner Grade 3-4 diabetic foot ulcers
Wagner Grade 3-4 diabetic foot ulcers have the strongest level of evidence for HBOT, with studies showing reduced amputation rates and improved healing.