2026 CERTIFIED WOUND CARE NURSE
CWCN CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 120 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
CORRECT ANSWERS and DETAILED
RATIONALES WOCNCB
Why is debridement of callus an important maintenance therapy? -
CORRECT ANSWER-better distributes pressure and reveals possible
ulerations and undermining of tissues
what are the priorities in managment of neuropathic wounds? -
CORRECT ANSWER-relieve pressure by offloading, aggressively
treating infection, revascularization, and improve wound condition
what are the 3 kinds of neuropathy? - CORRECT ANSWER-motor,
sensory, and autonomic neuropathy
what happens in motor neuropathy and what do you typically observe? -
CORRECT ANSWER-foot muscles atrophy resulting in deformities of
toes and foot structure which leads to eneven weight distribution and
pressure points ( hammer and claw toes, charcot foot)
,what happens in sensory neuropathy and what do you typically observe? -
CORRECT ANSWER-protective sensation is lost and patients lack
awareness of pain and temperature which leads to injury and infection
what happens in autonomic neuropathy and what do you typically observe?
- CORRECT ANSWER-an involuntary nervous system resulting in
loss of sweating and oil production causing skin to be dry. Xerosis leads to
fissures, cracks, callus, and ulceration
Under the foot risk classification system, what signs connote low risk
diabetes and how should you manage the condition to prevent neuropathic
ulcers? - CORRECT ANSWER-intact sensation(neuropathy), intact
pulse (vasularity), no foot deformities (motor fx). management includes:
education r/t disease control, daily inspection of foot, proper shoe wear,
early report of foot injuries; annual foot exam and callus removal and nail
care prn
Under the foot risk classification system, what signs connote moderate risk
diabetes and how should you manage the condition to prevent neuropathic
ulcers? - CORRECT ANSWER-intact sensation(neuropathy), intact
pulse (vasularity), foot deformities present (motor fx). management
includes: education r/t disease control, daily inspection of foot, proper shoe
wear, early report of foot injuries; depth in-lay footwear, foot exam every 6
months; referral to foot/ankle specialist if deformity is causing pressure
and conservative measures failed
Under the foot risk classification system, what signs connote high risk
diabetes and how should you manage the condition to prevent neuropathic
ulcers? - CORRECT ANSWER-absent sensation(neuropathy), absent
pulse (vasularity), foot deformities present (motor fx). management
includes: education r/t disease control, daily inspection of foot, proper shoe
, wear, early report of foot injuries; custom footwear, foot exam every
3months; callus maintenance; referral to foot/ankle specialist if deformity
is causing pressure and conservative measures failed
what are some key things to remember when caring for diabetic foot? -
CORRECT ANSWER-daily inspections of foot and shoes, don't soak
in water for prolonged period to avoid maceration, avoid nylon socks bc
they don't breathe, avoid chemicals for removing corns, never use razor
blades, change shoes often to reduce hotspots, see a professional for
trimming nails
Describe SSSS (staphylococcal scaled skin syndrome)? - CORRECT
ANSWER-infectious wound caused by toxins from staph and usually
affects healthy children 6 yrs or younger.
primary lesion: superficial bullae
secondary lesion: superficial scales
looks like a burn; avoid adhesive dressings
Describe necrotizing fasciitis (aka flesh eating infection)? - CORRECT
ANSWER-rapidly progressive and fatal infection of the SQ tissue and
fascia accompanied by pain, erythema, crepitous, and sysemic toxicity
(bullae, sloughing, gangrene aslo noted). Aggressive surgical debridement
and IV abx is required
Describe pyoderma granulosum? - CORRECT ANSWER-
inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by painful necrosis,
ulceration, and vasculitis. Associated with RA and IBS (Crohn's disease)
and often occurs on the LE or trunk of the body. wound edges are
violaceous w/ undermining and surrounding wound is erythematous and
CWCN CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 120 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
CORRECT ANSWERS and DETAILED
RATIONALES WOCNCB
Why is debridement of callus an important maintenance therapy? -
CORRECT ANSWER-better distributes pressure and reveals possible
ulerations and undermining of tissues
what are the priorities in managment of neuropathic wounds? -
CORRECT ANSWER-relieve pressure by offloading, aggressively
treating infection, revascularization, and improve wound condition
what are the 3 kinds of neuropathy? - CORRECT ANSWER-motor,
sensory, and autonomic neuropathy
what happens in motor neuropathy and what do you typically observe? -
CORRECT ANSWER-foot muscles atrophy resulting in deformities of
toes and foot structure which leads to eneven weight distribution and
pressure points ( hammer and claw toes, charcot foot)
,what happens in sensory neuropathy and what do you typically observe? -
CORRECT ANSWER-protective sensation is lost and patients lack
awareness of pain and temperature which leads to injury and infection
what happens in autonomic neuropathy and what do you typically observe?
- CORRECT ANSWER-an involuntary nervous system resulting in
loss of sweating and oil production causing skin to be dry. Xerosis leads to
fissures, cracks, callus, and ulceration
Under the foot risk classification system, what signs connote low risk
diabetes and how should you manage the condition to prevent neuropathic
ulcers? - CORRECT ANSWER-intact sensation(neuropathy), intact
pulse (vasularity), no foot deformities (motor fx). management includes:
education r/t disease control, daily inspection of foot, proper shoe wear,
early report of foot injuries; annual foot exam and callus removal and nail
care prn
Under the foot risk classification system, what signs connote moderate risk
diabetes and how should you manage the condition to prevent neuropathic
ulcers? - CORRECT ANSWER-intact sensation(neuropathy), intact
pulse (vasularity), foot deformities present (motor fx). management
includes: education r/t disease control, daily inspection of foot, proper shoe
wear, early report of foot injuries; depth in-lay footwear, foot exam every 6
months; referral to foot/ankle specialist if deformity is causing pressure
and conservative measures failed
Under the foot risk classification system, what signs connote high risk
diabetes and how should you manage the condition to prevent neuropathic
ulcers? - CORRECT ANSWER-absent sensation(neuropathy), absent
pulse (vasularity), foot deformities present (motor fx). management
includes: education r/t disease control, daily inspection of foot, proper shoe
, wear, early report of foot injuries; custom footwear, foot exam every
3months; callus maintenance; referral to foot/ankle specialist if deformity
is causing pressure and conservative measures failed
what are some key things to remember when caring for diabetic foot? -
CORRECT ANSWER-daily inspections of foot and shoes, don't soak
in water for prolonged period to avoid maceration, avoid nylon socks bc
they don't breathe, avoid chemicals for removing corns, never use razor
blades, change shoes often to reduce hotspots, see a professional for
trimming nails
Describe SSSS (staphylococcal scaled skin syndrome)? - CORRECT
ANSWER-infectious wound caused by toxins from staph and usually
affects healthy children 6 yrs or younger.
primary lesion: superficial bullae
secondary lesion: superficial scales
looks like a burn; avoid adhesive dressings
Describe necrotizing fasciitis (aka flesh eating infection)? - CORRECT
ANSWER-rapidly progressive and fatal infection of the SQ tissue and
fascia accompanied by pain, erythema, crepitous, and sysemic toxicity
(bullae, sloughing, gangrene aslo noted). Aggressive surgical debridement
and IV abx is required
Describe pyoderma granulosum? - CORRECT ANSWER-
inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by painful necrosis,
ulceration, and vasculitis. Associated with RA and IBS (Crohn's disease)
and often occurs on the LE or trunk of the body. wound edges are
violaceous w/ undermining and surrounding wound is erythematous and
