Wound Care Flashcards
7 cards from real LVN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Wound Care flashcards as text
A patient's wound shows erythema, warmth, edema, and purulent drainage. The LVN suspects wound infection. Which additional finding would MOST strongly support this assessment?
Answer: Increased pain at the wound site and fever
Increased local pain combined with systemic signs such as fever strongly supports the diagnosis of wound infection.
Which patient is at HIGHEST risk for impaired wound healing?
Answer: A 68-year-old with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy
Poorly controlled diabetes causes hyperglycemia, impaired immune response, and poor perfusion, all of which significantly delay wound healing.
Wound dehiscence is BEST described as:
Answer: Partial or complete separation of wound edges after surgical closure
Dehiscence is the partial or complete separation (opening) of previously approximated wound edges.
When teaching a patient about wound care at home, the LVN should instruct the patient to report which sign of infection to the provider?
Answer: Increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or pus draining from the wound
Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, and purulent drainage are classic signs of infection that require prompt provider notification.
Which dietary nutrient is MOST critical for collagen synthesis and wound healing?
Answer: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, immune function, and capillary integrity, all of which are critical for wound healing.
A patient on chronic corticosteroid therapy is at risk for impaired wound healing because steroids:
Answer: Suppress the inflammatory response and impair collagen synthesis
Corticosteroids suppress inflammation and impair fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis, slowing all phases of wound healing.
A patient has evisceration after a laparotomy. The LVN's FIRST priority action is to:
Answer: Cover the protruding organs with a sterile saline-moistened dressing and call the physician immediately
Evisceration is a medical emergency; organs must be covered with a sterile, moist dressing to prevent drying and the provider must be notified immediately.