Wound Care Certification Systemic Factors Affecting Healing Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient with a chronic venous ulcer has been on long-term, high-dose corticosteroid therapy for an autoimmune condition.
Which phase of wound healing is MOST significantly impaired by this medication?

Accepted Answer

Inflammatory phase

Answer

Proliferative phase

Answer

Hemostasis

Answer

Maturational phase

Question 2

An 82-year-old resident of a long-term care facility has a non-healing pressure injury. A nutritional assessment reveals a low pre-albumin level and inadequate protein consumption. A deficiency in protein will primarily disrupt which aspect of wound healing?

Accepted Answer

Angiogenesis and collagen synthesis

Answer

Platelet aggregation during hemostasis

Answer

Initial vasoconstriction of blood vessels

Answer

Controlling bacterial bioburden

Question 3

A 65-year-old patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (HbA1c of 10.5%) presents with a full-thickness wound on their lower leg. All of the following are mechanisms by which hyperglycemia directly impairs wound healing EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Enhanced fibroblast proliferation

Answer

Impaired leukocyte function and chemotaxis

Answer

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs)

Answer

Increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines

Question 4

Which of the following is the primary mechanism by which smoking systemically impairs wound healing?

Accepted Answer

Reducing oxygen-carrying capacity and causing vasoconstriction

Answer

Causing peripheral vasodilation and increased bleeding

Answer

Increasing the patient's basal metabolic rate

Answer

Inducing a chronic anti-inflammatory state

Question 5

A clinician is developing a plan of care for a non-healing wound on an elderly patient. Which age-related physiological change is a key systemic factor that contributes to delayed wound repair?

Accepted Answer

Reduced collagen synthesis and fibroblast activity

Answer

A heightened and more rapid inflammatory response

Answer

Increased epidermal thickness and skin turgor

Answer

Enhanced angiogenesis and capillary growth

Question 6

A 45-year-old patient undergoing a stressful divorce has a surgical wound that is showing signs of delayed healing. The elevation of which hormone, associated with chronic psychological stress, is known to suppress the immune system and impair wound repair?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Testosterone

Answer

Melatonin