Wound Care

Self-Study Examination

Instructions: After studying the text answer the following true/false or multiple choice questions.  Remember, there's only one answer to each question.

1. The epidermis consists of ______ sublayers.

a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
e) 6

2. The sublayer that achors the epidermis to the dermis is called stratum

a) corneum
b) lucidum
c) grandulosum
d) spinosum
e) germinativum

3. The thickness of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue varies from person to person but remains uniform on different parts of the body.

a) True
b) False

4. In the wound healing process, epithelization step signifies

a) erythema, heat, and pain
b) migration of macrophages that destroy bacteria and clean the wound site
c) generation of red, beefy, shiny granulation tissue
d) migration of cells from the wound margins leading to the sealing of the wound from the external environment
e) reorganization, remodeling, and maturation of the collagen fibers

5. Wounds heal faster and less painfully in a moist environment than in a dry one.

a) True
b) False

6. Surgical wounds heal by ______ intention.

a) primary
b) secondary
c) tertiary

7. Among the most common wound-healing complications is dehiscence. Which of the following answers describes dehiscence?

a) drainage of purulent material and inflamed wound edges
b) internal or external bleeding
c) separation of skin and tissue layers
d) protrusion of visceral organs through a wound opening
e) abnormal passage between two organs

8. Identify the stage of the pressure ulcer based on this description: Full-thickness skin loss involving damage or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue, which does not go through underlying fascia.

a) Stage 1
b) Stage 2
c) Stage 3
d) Stage 4

9. In Stage 1 pressure ulcer there's no skin loss.

a) True
b) False

10. Wound classification by thickness would yield one of the following information:

a) depth of the wound
b) condition of intact skin
c) layers of tissue exposed
d) color of the exposed wound bed

11. In the three-color wound classification system which color indicates that the wound has begun to heal?

a) red
b) yellow
c) black

12. You notice the following wound characteristics: irregular wound margins; superficial wound; ruddy, granular tissue; usually no pain; frequently moderate to heavy exudate. How would you classify this ulcer?

a) arterial
b) diabetic
c) venous
d) cannot be classified

13. Which of the following you would not use while obtaining a wound culture with a swab?

a) sterile calcium alginate
b) rayon swab
c) cotton-tipped swab

14. While irrigating an infected wound, you should use flow pressures of _____ than 30 psi.

a) more
b) less

15. Which of the following antiseptic solutions is generally not effective in infected wounds?

a) acetic acid
b) hydrogen peroxide
c) providone-iodine preparations
d) sodium hypochlorite solution

16. While cleaning a wound, which solution should you use?

a) acetic acid
b) hydrogen peroxide
c) sodium hypochlorite
d) povidone-iodine
e) normal saline solution

17. If a wound is draining more than 1 1/2 oz (50 ml) a day, which of the following would you use in drainage management?

a) gauze dressing
b) pouch
c) both of the above
d) none of the above

18. While assessing an ulcer, you should observe or erythema. Which of the following is a serious sign, that tissue destruction is imminent or has occurred?

a) blanching erythema
b) nonblanching erythema

19. Which of the following scales classifies foot ulcers?

a) Norton
b) Braden
c) Wagner
d) none of the above

20. The Norton scale in assessing the risk of pressure ulcer formation uses all of the following parameters except

a) physical condition
b) mental condition
c) activity
d) mobility
e) moisture

21. Which of the following is not a risk assessment tool for pressure ulcer?

a) Norton
b) Braden
c) Gosnell
d) Wagner
e) DERMICEL

22. For a bed-confined patient with mobility deficit, to minimize the adverse effects of pressure, friction or shear you should maintain the head of the bed at the ______________ degree of elevation.

a) lowest
b) highest

23. The immediate intervention goal in Stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcers is

a) provide comfort
b) reduce pressure
c) relieve pressure

24. If you were trying to control costs, which of the following support devices you would not use?

a) static flotation mattress
b) foam overlay
c) air-fluidized bed
d) standard mattress

25. In managing a pressure ulcer, corticosteroids should be ________ for 4 to 5 days after the appearance of an ulcer.

a) given
b) withheld

26. Foam overlays are the most commonly used devices to reduce pressure. The thickness of the foam, however, should be at least

a) 2"
b) 3"
c) 4"
d) b and c

27. Compression therapy should not be used for arterial ulcers.

a) True
b) False

28. Partial-and full-thickness wounds are primarily caused by pressure.

a) True
b) False

29. Which of the following is not an advantage of alginates?

a) absorbs up to 20 times its weight
b) maintains a moist wound environment
c) is easy to apply and remove
d) recommended for wounds with light exudate or dry eschar

30. Collagen is generally recommended for third-degree burns.

a) True
b) False

31. omposite dressings contain two or more physically distinct products in a single dressing and are used for multiple functions.

a) True
b) False

32. One of the disadvantages of composite dressings is that they require a border of intact skin for anchoring the dressing.

a) True
b) False

33. Contact layers are ideal for Stage 1 pressure ulcers.

a) True
b) False

34. Which of the following is not an advantage of foam dressings?

a) are nonadherent
b) are effective for wounds with dry eschar
c) are easy to apply and remove
d) absorb light to heavy amounts of exudate
e) may be used under compression

35. One of the disadvantages of gauze dressings is that they may adhere to the wound and traumatize healthy tissue.

a) True
b) False

36. Hydrocolloids are recommended for wounds with heavy exudate.

a) True
b) False

37. Hydrocolloids minimize skin trauma and disruption of healing because they can be left in place for 3 to 5 days.

a) True
b) False

38. Because of their high water content, hydrogels cannot absorb large amounts of exudate.

a) True
b) False

39. Transparent films may be used as a primary or secondary dressing to prevent and manage all pressure ulcers.

a) True
b) False

40. Which of the following is not an advantage of transparent films?

a) retain moisture
b) are impermeable to bacteria and other contaminants
c) do not require secondary dressings
d) absorb drainage
e) allow wound observation

41. Most dry wound fillers _______ recommended for use in dry wounds.

a) are
b) are not

42. Which of the following is not an advantage of wound fillers?

a) provide a moist environment
b) do not require secondary dressing
c) are easy to apply and remove
d) fill dead space
e) promote autolytic debridement