FCC FCC Pathology & Wound Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of wound debridement in foot care?
- Apply topical antibiotics
- Remove necrotic tissue to promote healing (Correct answer)
- Cover the wound with a dressing
- Measure wound dimensions
Correct answer: Remove necrotic tissue to promote healing
Debridement removes dead, infected, or devitalized tissue to establish a clean wound bed that supports the healing cascade.
Question 2: Which dressing type is most appropriate for a heavily exuding wound?
- Transparent film
- Dry gauze
- Alginate dressing (Correct answer)
- Hydrocolloid
Correct answer: Alginate dressing
Alginate dressings are highly absorbent and convert to a gel on contact with exudate, maintaining a moist healing environment in heavily draining wounds.
Question 3: What does a positive Tinel's sign at the tarsal tunnel indicate?
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome (Correct answer)
- Morton's neuroma
- Peripheral vascular disease
Correct answer: Tarsal tunnel syndrome
A positive Tinel's sign at the tarsal tunnel — reproduction of tingling or electric sensation when tapping over the posterior tibial nerve — suggests nerve entrapment consistent with tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Question 4: What is Raynaud's phenomenon primarily characterized by?
- Constant burning pain in the feet
- Episodic digit color changes due to vasospasm (Correct answer)
- Progressive sensory loss in the lower extremities
- Persistent ankle and foot swelling
Correct answer: Episodic digit color changes due to vasospasm
Raynaud's phenomenon involves episodic vasospasm of digital arteries causing sequential color changes (white → blue → red) typically triggered by cold or emotional stress.
Question 5: Which structural foot deformity is associated with an abnormally elevated longitudinal arch?
- Pes planus
- Pes cavus (Correct answer)
- Hallux valgus
- Metatarsus adductus
Correct answer: Pes cavus
Pes cavus describes an excessively high longitudinal arch that concentrates pressure on the metatarsal heads and heel, increasing injury risk.
Question 6: What is the primary clinical concern when treating a wound in a patient with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)?
- Risk of fungal spread
- Compromised wound healing due to reduced circulation (Correct answer)
- Increased blister formation
- Excessive plantar sweating
Correct answer: Compromised wound healing due to reduced circulation
In PAD, inadequate blood flow deprives wound tissue of oxygen and nutrients, severely impairing healing and raising the risk of necrosis and amputation.
FCC FCC Pathology & Wound Care 2
What is the primary goal of wound debridement in foot care?