2026 Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN Certification
Exam) by WOCNCB New Latest Version with All 120
Questions, Correct Answers and Rationale
Section 1: Wound Environment (Questions 1–13)
1. A 65-year-old patient with diabetes presents with a non-healing ulcer on the plantar
surface of the foot. What is the most likely etiology?
A) Neuropathic wound due to peripheral neuropathy.
B) Arterial insufficiency.
C) Venous stasis.
D) Pressure injury. Correct Answer: A) Neuropathic wound due to peripheral neuropathy.
Rationale: Diabetic foot ulcers are often neuropathic, resulting from loss of sensation
leading to repetitive trauma. WOCNCB Domain 1: Wound Environment (etiology in
diabetic patients).
2. During assessment of a chronic leg ulcer, the nurse notes edema, pigmentation changes,
and lipodermatosclerosis. What is the primary etiology?
A) Venous insufficiency.
B) Arterial disease.
C) Lymphedema.
D) Infection. Correct Answer: A) Venous insufficiency.
Rationale: These are classic signs of chronic venous hypertension. WOCNCB Domain 1:
Assessment of venous ulcers.
3. A patient with a stage 3 pressure injury on the sacrum. What risk factor contributed to its
development?
A) Immobility and malnutrition.
B) Smoking only.
C) High activity level.
D) No risk factors. Correct Answer: A) Immobility and malnutrition.
Rationale: Immobility and poor nutrition are key extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors for
pressure injuries. WOCNCB Domain 1: Prevention and etiology of pressure injuries.
4. In a patient with a surgical wound, what assessment finding indicates dehiscence?
A) Sudden increase in serous drainage and visible subcutaneous tissue.
B) Mild redness at edges.
C) No drainage.
D) Dry wound bed. Correct Answer: A) Sudden increase in serous drainage and visible
subcutaneous tissue.
Rationale: Dehiscence involves separation of wound edges. WOCNCB Domain 1:
Assessment of surgical wounds.
5. A 70-year-old bedridden patient develops a blister on the heel. What is the NPUAP
staging?
A) Stage 2 pressure injury.
B) Stage 1.
C) Unstageable.
D) Deep tissue injury. Correct Answer: A) Stage 2 pressure injury.
, Rationale: Blisters indicate partial-thickness skin loss. WOCNCB Domain 1: Pressure
injury staging per NPUAP.
6. What is the primary assessment tool for wound depth?
A) Gentle probing with a sterile cotton swab.
B) Visual inspection only.
C) No probing.
D) X-ray. Correct Answer: A) Gentle probing with a sterile cotton swab.
Rationale: Probing measures tunneling or undermining safely. WOCNCB Domain 1:
Wound assessment techniques.
7. A patient with a venous ulcer has moderate exudate and surrounding erythema. What is
the likely wound environment factor?
A) Biofilm formation.
B) Dry eschar.
C) Granulation tissue.
D) No exudate. Correct Answer: A) Biofilm formation.
Rationale: Biofilm contributes to inflammation and delayed healing. WOCNCB Domain
1: Factors affecting wound healing.
8. During assessment, a wound has yellow slough. What does this indicate?
A) Non-viable devitalized tissue.
B) Healthy granulation.
C) Epibole.
D) Hypergranulation. Correct Answer: A) Non-viable devitalized tissue.
Rationale: Slough is dead tissue that impedes healing. WOCNCB Domain 1: Wound bed
assessment.
9. A patient with a diabetic foot ulcer has loss of protective sensation. What assessment tool
confirms neuropathy?
A) 10g monofilament test.
B) Doppler ultrasound.
C) ABI.
D) No tool. Correct Answer: A) 10g monofilament test.
Rationale: Screens for neuropathy in diabetes. WOCNCB Domain 1: Neuropathy
assessment.
10. What is the Braden Scale used for?
A) Pressure injury risk assessment.
B) Wound depth measurement.
C) Exudate level.
D) Infection screening. Correct Answer: A) Pressure injury risk assessment.
Rationale: Scores mobility, nutrition, etc. WOCNCB Domain 1: Risk assessment tools.
11. A wound has undermining. What assessment finding?
A) Tissue destruction under intact edges.
B) Full-thickness loss.
C) No undermining.
D) Surface slough only. Correct Answer: A) Tissue destruction under intact edges.
Rationale: Undermining is a sign of deeper involvement. WOCNCB Domain 1: Wound
characteristics.
12. In a patient with a pressure injury, what intrinsic factor contributes?
, A) Diabetes mellitus.
B) Moisture only.
C) Friction.
D) No intrinsic factors. Correct Answer: A) Diabetes mellitus.
Rationale: Impairs healing due to vascular issues. WOCNCB Domain 1: Intrinsic risk
factors.
13. What is the PUSH tool for?
A) Pressure ulcer tracking and healing.
B) Wound infection assessment.
C) Exudate management.
D) No tool. Correct Answer: A) Pressure ulcer tracking and healing.
Rationale: Monitors progress over time. WOCNCB Domain 1: Assessment tools.
Section 2: Wound Bed Preparation (Questions 14–36)
14. A wound with necrotic tissue requires what for debridement?
A) Sharp debridement by qualified provider.
B) No debridement.
C) Wet-to-dry dressings.
D) Honey only. Correct Answer: A) Sharp debridement by qualified provider.
Rationale: Removes non-viable tissue efficiently. WOCNCB Domain 2: Debridement
methods.
15. In a wound with biofilm, what preparation step?
A) Antimicrobial irrigation.
B) Dry dressing.
C) No irrigation.
D) Packing only. Correct Answer: A) Antimicrobial irrigation.
Rationale: Disrupts biofilm. WOCNCB Domain 2: Infection and biofilm management.
16. A patient with a venous ulcer has edema. What preparation?
A) Compression therapy.
B) No compression.
C) Elevation only.
D) Debridement first. Correct Answer: A) Compression therapy.
Rationale: Improves venous return. WOCNCB Domain 2: Edema management.
17. For a wound with eschar, what is contraindicated?
A) Autolytic debridement.
B) Sharp debridement.
C) Enzymatic debridement.
D) All possible. Correct Answer: A) Autolytic debridement.
Rationale: Eschar acts as a barrier; mechanical removal preferred. WOCNCB Domain 2:
Debridement for eschar.
18. What is the goal of wound bed preparation?
A) Create a moist healing environment.
B) Dry the wound.
C) No goal.
D) Pack tightly. Correct Answer: A) Create a moist healing environment.
Rationale: TIME framework (Tissue, Infection, Moisture, Edge). WOCNCB Domain 2:
Overall preparation principles.
Exam) by WOCNCB New Latest Version with All 120
Questions, Correct Answers and Rationale
Section 1: Wound Environment (Questions 1–13)
1. A 65-year-old patient with diabetes presents with a non-healing ulcer on the plantar
surface of the foot. What is the most likely etiology?
A) Neuropathic wound due to peripheral neuropathy.
B) Arterial insufficiency.
C) Venous stasis.
D) Pressure injury. Correct Answer: A) Neuropathic wound due to peripheral neuropathy.
Rationale: Diabetic foot ulcers are often neuropathic, resulting from loss of sensation
leading to repetitive trauma. WOCNCB Domain 1: Wound Environment (etiology in
diabetic patients).
2. During assessment of a chronic leg ulcer, the nurse notes edema, pigmentation changes,
and lipodermatosclerosis. What is the primary etiology?
A) Venous insufficiency.
B) Arterial disease.
C) Lymphedema.
D) Infection. Correct Answer: A) Venous insufficiency.
Rationale: These are classic signs of chronic venous hypertension. WOCNCB Domain 1:
Assessment of venous ulcers.
3. A patient with a stage 3 pressure injury on the sacrum. What risk factor contributed to its
development?
A) Immobility and malnutrition.
B) Smoking only.
C) High activity level.
D) No risk factors. Correct Answer: A) Immobility and malnutrition.
Rationale: Immobility and poor nutrition are key extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors for
pressure injuries. WOCNCB Domain 1: Prevention and etiology of pressure injuries.
4. In a patient with a surgical wound, what assessment finding indicates dehiscence?
A) Sudden increase in serous drainage and visible subcutaneous tissue.
B) Mild redness at edges.
C) No drainage.
D) Dry wound bed. Correct Answer: A) Sudden increase in serous drainage and visible
subcutaneous tissue.
Rationale: Dehiscence involves separation of wound edges. WOCNCB Domain 1:
Assessment of surgical wounds.
5. A 70-year-old bedridden patient develops a blister on the heel. What is the NPUAP
staging?
A) Stage 2 pressure injury.
B) Stage 1.
C) Unstageable.
D) Deep tissue injury. Correct Answer: A) Stage 2 pressure injury.
, Rationale: Blisters indicate partial-thickness skin loss. WOCNCB Domain 1: Pressure
injury staging per NPUAP.
6. What is the primary assessment tool for wound depth?
A) Gentle probing with a sterile cotton swab.
B) Visual inspection only.
C) No probing.
D) X-ray. Correct Answer: A) Gentle probing with a sterile cotton swab.
Rationale: Probing measures tunneling or undermining safely. WOCNCB Domain 1:
Wound assessment techniques.
7. A patient with a venous ulcer has moderate exudate and surrounding erythema. What is
the likely wound environment factor?
A) Biofilm formation.
B) Dry eschar.
C) Granulation tissue.
D) No exudate. Correct Answer: A) Biofilm formation.
Rationale: Biofilm contributes to inflammation and delayed healing. WOCNCB Domain
1: Factors affecting wound healing.
8. During assessment, a wound has yellow slough. What does this indicate?
A) Non-viable devitalized tissue.
B) Healthy granulation.
C) Epibole.
D) Hypergranulation. Correct Answer: A) Non-viable devitalized tissue.
Rationale: Slough is dead tissue that impedes healing. WOCNCB Domain 1: Wound bed
assessment.
9. A patient with a diabetic foot ulcer has loss of protective sensation. What assessment tool
confirms neuropathy?
A) 10g monofilament test.
B) Doppler ultrasound.
C) ABI.
D) No tool. Correct Answer: A) 10g monofilament test.
Rationale: Screens for neuropathy in diabetes. WOCNCB Domain 1: Neuropathy
assessment.
10. What is the Braden Scale used for?
A) Pressure injury risk assessment.
B) Wound depth measurement.
C) Exudate level.
D) Infection screening. Correct Answer: A) Pressure injury risk assessment.
Rationale: Scores mobility, nutrition, etc. WOCNCB Domain 1: Risk assessment tools.
11. A wound has undermining. What assessment finding?
A) Tissue destruction under intact edges.
B) Full-thickness loss.
C) No undermining.
D) Surface slough only. Correct Answer: A) Tissue destruction under intact edges.
Rationale: Undermining is a sign of deeper involvement. WOCNCB Domain 1: Wound
characteristics.
12. In a patient with a pressure injury, what intrinsic factor contributes?
, A) Diabetes mellitus.
B) Moisture only.
C) Friction.
D) No intrinsic factors. Correct Answer: A) Diabetes mellitus.
Rationale: Impairs healing due to vascular issues. WOCNCB Domain 1: Intrinsic risk
factors.
13. What is the PUSH tool for?
A) Pressure ulcer tracking and healing.
B) Wound infection assessment.
C) Exudate management.
D) No tool. Correct Answer: A) Pressure ulcer tracking and healing.
Rationale: Monitors progress over time. WOCNCB Domain 1: Assessment tools.
Section 2: Wound Bed Preparation (Questions 14–36)
14. A wound with necrotic tissue requires what for debridement?
A) Sharp debridement by qualified provider.
B) No debridement.
C) Wet-to-dry dressings.
D) Honey only. Correct Answer: A) Sharp debridement by qualified provider.
Rationale: Removes non-viable tissue efficiently. WOCNCB Domain 2: Debridement
methods.
15. In a wound with biofilm, what preparation step?
A) Antimicrobial irrigation.
B) Dry dressing.
C) No irrigation.
D) Packing only. Correct Answer: A) Antimicrobial irrigation.
Rationale: Disrupts biofilm. WOCNCB Domain 2: Infection and biofilm management.
16. A patient with a venous ulcer has edema. What preparation?
A) Compression therapy.
B) No compression.
C) Elevation only.
D) Debridement first. Correct Answer: A) Compression therapy.
Rationale: Improves venous return. WOCNCB Domain 2: Edema management.
17. For a wound with eschar, what is contraindicated?
A) Autolytic debridement.
B) Sharp debridement.
C) Enzymatic debridement.
D) All possible. Correct Answer: A) Autolytic debridement.
Rationale: Eschar acts as a barrier; mechanical removal preferred. WOCNCB Domain 2:
Debridement for eschar.
18. What is the goal of wound bed preparation?
A) Create a moist healing environment.
B) Dry the wound.
C) No goal.
D) Pack tightly. Correct Answer: A) Create a moist healing environment.
Rationale: TIME framework (Tissue, Infection, Moisture, Edge). WOCNCB Domain 2:
Overall preparation principles.
