Wound Care Certification Dressings and Topical Agents Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient has a moderately draining venous leg ulcer with 50% granulation tissue and 50% yellow slough. The periwound skin is intact but requires protection from moisture. Which dressing is MOST appropriate for this wound?

Accepted Answer

Foam dressing

Answer

Foam dressings are designed to absorb moderate to heavy exudate while providing a moist wound environment and thermal insulation. They are an excellent choice for this wound type as they manage drainage effectively, protecting the periwound skin from maceration. Transparent films are non-absorbent, hydrogels donate moisture, and alginates are typically for heavy exudate.

Question 2

A clinician is selecting an enzymatic debriding agent for a wound with adherent necrotic tissue. Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action for collagenase Santyl?

Accepted Answer

It selectively digests denatured collagen that anchors non-viable tissue to the wound bed.

Answer

Collagenase is an exogenous enzyme that selectively targets and digests the denatured collagen filaments that anchor necrotic tissue to the wound bed. This facilitates debridement without harming viable granulation tissue. Using the body's own enzymes is autolytic debridement, killing bacteria describes an antimicrobial, and physically pulling away tissue describes mechanical debridement.

Question 3

Which of the following dressing categories is known for its ability to donate moisture to a dry wound bed, promoting autolytic debridement?

Accepted Answer

Amorphous hydrogels

Answer

Amorphous hydrogels are water- or glycerin-based products with a high moisture content (often over 90% water). They are specifically designed to donate moisture to dry or desiccated wound beds, which softens slough and eschar and facilitates autolytic debridement. Alginates and foams are absorptive, and hydrocolloids manage minimal to moderate exudate.

Question 4

A home health nurse is caring for a patient with a deep, tunneling wound on the thigh with copious, purulent drainage and a suspected anaerobic infection. Which dressing would be contraindicated for this wound?

Accepted Answer

Hydrocolloid sheet

Answer

Hydrocolloid dressings are occlusive, meaning they do not allow air or moisture to pass through. Using an occlusive dressing over an infected wound, especially a deep wound with suspected anaerobic infection, can trap bacteria and exudate, creating an environment that worsens the infection and can lead to abscess formation. Therefore, they are contraindicated in clinically infected wounds.

Question 5

When selecting a topical antimicrobial agent, a clinician considers the potential for cytotoxicity. Which of the following agents has historically been associated with causing damage to healthy fibroblasts and keratinocytes, potentially impairing wound healing?

Accepted Answer

Povidone-iodine

Answer

While it is a broad-spectrum antiseptic, traditional povidone-iodine has been shown in multiple studies to be cytotoxic to essential wound healing cells like fibroblasts and keratinocytes. This potential to harm healthy tissue is why its routine use in open wounds is often limited in favor of less cytotoxic alternatives.

Wound Care Certification Exam Practice Test

Wound Care Certification Exam Practice Test

Wound Care Certification Dressings and Topical Agents Questions and Answers