NPTE-PTA Integumentary Physical Therapy 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP), a Stage II pressure injury is characterized by which finding?
- Intact skin with non-blanchable erythema
- Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis (Correct answer)
- Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous fat
- Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone or tendon
Correct answer: Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis
Stage II pressure injuries involve partial-thickness skin loss exposing the dermis, presenting as a shallow open wound with a pink or red wound bed without slough or bruising.
Question 2: Which phase of wound healing is primarily characterized by fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis?
- Hemostasis phase
- Inflammatory phase
- Proliferative phase (Correct answer)
- Maturation and remodeling phase
Correct answer: Proliferative phase
The proliferative phase (approximately days 4–21) is defined by fibroblast migration and activity, collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and the formation of granulation tissue.
Question 3: Which method of wound debridement is considered the MOST selective, removing only necrotic tissue while preserving viable tissue?
- Sharp or surgical debridement
- Wet-to-dry mechanical debridement
- Autolytic debridement (Correct answer)
- Pulsed lavage debridement
Correct answer: Autolytic debridement
Autolytic debridement uses the body's own phagocytic cells and proteolytic enzymes under a moisture-retentive dressing to selectively liquefy necrotic tissue without harming healthy tissue.
Question 4: A PTA assesses a diabetic foot ulcer and measures an ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 0.45. This finding MOST likely indicates:
- Normal arterial circulation
- Mild peripheral arterial disease
- Severe peripheral arterial disease (Correct answer)
- Primary venous insufficiency
Correct answer: Severe peripheral arterial disease
An ABI below 0.5 indicates severe peripheral arterial disease, which significantly impairs wound healing and is generally a contraindication to full compression therapy.
Question 5: Which wound dressing is MOST appropriate for managing a large wound with heavy exudate output?
- Hydrocolloid dressing
- Transparent film dressing
- Calcium alginate dressing (Correct answer)
- Hydrogel sheet dressing
Correct answer: Calcium alginate dressing
Calcium alginate dressings are highly absorbent, forming a gel on contact with exudate that maintains a moist healing environment, making them optimal for heavily draining wounds.
Question 6: A PTA inspects a wound and notes all of the following. Which finding is a sign of HEALTHY wound progression rather than infection?
- Increased perilesional warmth and erythema
- Purulent exudate with foul odor
- Pink-red granulation tissue filling the wound bed (Correct answer)
- Increasing pain at the wound site
Correct answer: Pink-red granulation tissue filling the wound bed
Pink-red granulation tissue indicates active angiogenesis and new connective tissue formation, which are hallmarks of the proliferative healing phase, not infection.
Question 7: A patient presents with a venous stasis ulcer on the medial lower leg. ABI is measured at 0.85. The MOST appropriate primary intervention is:
- Surgical debridement only
- Multilayer compression bandaging (Correct answer)
- Unna boot alone without additional compression
- Elevation without any compression
Correct answer: Multilayer compression bandaging
Venous stasis ulcers require compression to reduce venous hypertension; an ABI ≥ 0.8 indicates adequate arterial perfusion to safely tolerate full multilayer compression therapy.
NPTE-PTA Integumentary Physical Therapy 1
According to the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP), a Stage II pressure injury is characterized by which finding?