NCWO Infection Prevention and Control 3

Question 1

A wound care nurse notes that a patient's pressure injury has increased pain, warmth, and new purulent exudate. The FIRST priority intervention is to:

Accepted Answer

Notify the provider and obtain a wound culture

Answer

Clinical signs of infection require prompt notification of the provider and appropriate wound culture collection before any antibiotic or advanced treatment is initiated.

Question 2

Which factor in a patient's history MOST significantly increases the risk of wound infection?

Accepted Answer

Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c > 9%)

Answer

Poorly controlled diabetes impairs neutrophil function, reduces tissue oxygenation, and promotes bacterial growth, making it one of the strongest risk factors for wound infection.

Question 3

When removing a contaminated wound dressing, the wound care nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Use clean gloves for removal, then perform hand hygiene and apply sterile gloves for wound assessment

Answer

Clean gloves are appropriate for removing the soiled dressing; hand hygiene followed by sterile (or new clean) gloves are required before touching the wound to prevent cross-contamination.

Question 4

Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) is used as a wound antiseptic primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Has broad-spectrum antimicrobial action with low cytotoxicity to host cells

Answer

PHMB disrupts bacterial cell membranes across a broad spectrum while demonstrating relatively low cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, making it suitable for use in wound beds.

Question 5

Which assessment finding in a surgical wound during the first 24-48 hours postoperatively should be reported immediately as a potential sign of infection?

Accepted Answer

Crepitus (crackling sensation) palpated around the wound

Answer

Crepitus around a surgical wound in the early postoperative period suggests gas-producing organisms such as Clostridium species and represents a surgical emergency.

NCWO - National Certified Wound Ostomy Practice Test

NCWO - National Certified Wound Ostomy Practice Test

NCWO Infection Prevention and Control 3