CERTIFIED WOUND CARE
NURSE CWCN PRACTICE
EXAM COMPLETE
Question 1: A patient with a chronic venous leg ulcer reports eating one small meal daily because groceries are di�cult to a�ord. Which �nding should most directly change the wound care plan?
Choices:
1) The patient's age alone 2) The patient's preferred dressing color 3) The patient's limited access to adequate nutrition 4) The presence of a family member at visits
Correct Answer: The patient's limited access to adequate nutrition
Explanation: Limited food access can impair protein and calorie intake and therefore wound healing. The plan should address the nutritional and socioeconomic barrier, often with dietitian and social-service support.Page 1
Question 2: Which medication history is most important to recognize as a potential contributor to delayed wound healing when used systemically for a prolonged period?
Choices:
1) Calcium carbonate 2) Topical emollient 3) Acetaminophen 4) Systemic corticosteroid
Correct Answer: Systemic corticosteroid
Explanation: Systemic corticosteroids can impair in�ammatory responses, collagen synthesis, and tissue repair. Their presence should be considered when evaluating delayed healing.Question 3: A patient with a nonhealing lower-extremity ulcer smokes one pack of cigarettes daily. Which mechanism best explains why smoking can delay healing?
Choices:
1) It eliminates wound in�ammation 2) It increases tissue oxygen delivery 3) It causes sustained vasoconstriction and reduces tissue oxygenation 4) It directly increases collagen deposition Correct Answer: It causes sustained vasoconstriction and reduces tissue oxygenation Explanation: Nicotine-related vasoconstriction and carbon monoxide exposure reduce tissue oxygen delivery, impairing cellular functions required for wound repair.Page 2
Question 4: A painful ulcer has an unusual violaceous border and has enlarged
despite appropriate local wound care. Which diagnostic action is most appropriate to consider?
Choices:
1) Automatic staging as a pressure injury 2) Routine compression without vascular assessment 3) Biopsy or specialty evaluation for an atypical wound 4) Daily wet-to-dry dressings
Correct Answer: Biopsy or specialty evaluation for an atypical wound
Explanation: An atypical appearance and failure to respond as expected should prompt evaluation for an alternative diagnosis, often including dermatology consultation and biopsy when clinically appropriate.
Question 5: The highest brachial systolic pressure is 120 mm Hg and the highest
ankle systolic pressure in the a�ected leg is 72 mm Hg. What is the ankle-brachial index (ABI)?
Choices:
1) 0.40
2) 1.20
3) 1.67
4) 0.60
Correct Answer: 0.60
Explanation: ABI is calculated as ankle systolic pressure divided by the higher brachial systolic pressure: 72 ÷ 120 = 0.60. This value suggests arterial impairment and warrants caution with compression.Page 3