Wound Care Certification Lower Extremity Wound Management Flashcards
7 cards from real Wound Care Certification Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
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Total contact casting (TCC) is considered the gold standard offloading device for plantar diabetic neuropathic ulcers because it:
Answer: Redistributes plantar pressure over the entire foot and lower leg surface
TCC redistributes plantar pressure over the entire plantar foot and lower leg, dramatically reducing focal pressure at the ulcer site and achieving the highest documented healing rates.
Which classification system is most widely used to grade diabetic foot ulcers in clinical practice?
Answer: Wagner Ulcer Classification System (grades 0–5)
The Wagner system grades diabetic foot ulcers 0–5 based on depth and presence of infection or gangrene, and remains the most widely used diabetic foot ulcer classification tool.
In a diabetic patient with suspected arterial calcification, why is the toe-brachial index (TBI) preferred over the ABI?
Answer: Digital arteries of the toes are less susceptible to calcification, providing a more accurate reading
Medial arterial calcification can falsely elevate ABI above 1.3, rendering it unreliable; the small digital arteries used for TBI are rarely affected by calcification.
Which transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) value best indicates adequate tissue perfusion for lower extremity wound healing?
Answer: TcPO2 of 40 mmHg or greater
A TcPO2 ≥40 mmHg indicates sufficient tissue oxygenation for wound healing; values <20 mmHg predict healing failure and may indicate the need for revascularization.
Which pathogen is most commonly isolated from infected diabetic foot ulcers?
Answer: Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA)
Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), is the most frequently isolated pathogen in diabetic foot ulcer infections and a leading cause of serious soft tissue infections.
Charcot neuroarthropathy (Charcot foot) is best characterized as:
Answer: A progressive destructive arthropathy causing bone and joint deformity in neuropathic patients
Charcot neuroarthropathy is a progressive, destructive condition in which undetected repetitive trauma leads to bone fractures, joint dislocation, and deformity creating high plantar pressure points prone to ulceration.
Which factor is NOT considered a significant risk factor for lower extremity amputation in patients with diabetes?
Answer: Hemoglobin A1c of 5.8%
An HbA1c of 5.8% is near-normal glycemic control (below the 6.5% diagnostic threshold for diabetes), whereas neuropathy, PAD, and prior ulcer history are well-established risk factors for amputation.