WTA – Practice Questions – Complete Study Material
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Normal pH of skin is alkaline. - ANS✔✔ F
The pH of normal, healthy skin is slightly acid, not alkaline.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Dermis is normally acid and dry - ANS✔✔ F
Dermis is the inner most layer of skin that is naturally moist and slightly acid.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Epidermis can regenerate - ANS✔✔ T
Epidermis is the outer layer of skin, composed of stratified squamous epithelial cells, which can
reproduce/regenerate to replace lost cells.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Subcutaneous tissue is the 3rd layer of the skin. - ANS✔✔ F
Subcutaneous tissue is not a layer of skin. Only the epidermis and dermis comprise the skin.
Subcutaneous tissue is fatty tissue/adipose tissue underneath the skin that provides padding
and protection.
Muscle tissue is more susceptible to pressure injury than skin. - ANS✔✔ T
Muscle tissue is highly vascular with a higher metabolic rate and therefore is more susceptible
than skin to effects of prolonged pressure. Muscle is also not capable of
reproduction/regeneration.
,Identify anatomical differences that increase the risk of skin tears among newborns and the
elderly. __________ - ANS✔✔ Rete pegs and rete ridges are epidermal protrusions that project
down into the dermis to interlock with the dermal papillae to provide strength and stability of
the skin layers and prevent skin tears. Without the interlocking of the epidermis to the dermis,
or if there is flattening of this junction, the epidermis can easily be torn away from the dermis.
This interlocking feature has not yet formed in the newborn, and is lost in the elderly; this
results in reduced cohesion between the epidermis and dermis, and increased risk for skin
tears. There is decreased cohesion between the epidermis and dermis in the very young and in
the elderly.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Pressure applied to the skin causes the greatest amount of pressure at the epidermis. -
ANS✔✔ F
Pressure extends from the surface in a pressure gradient with the highest pressure at the
bone/tissue interface rather than at the skin surface. Pressure usually results in full thickness
damage.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Partial thickness (superficial) breakdown can be caused by friction or maceration - ANS✔✔
T
Superficial partial thickness skin ulcers are loss of epidermis and possible partial loss of the
dermis. The damage occurs from top down in superficial injuries. Overhydrated skin is more
susceptible to injury and friction where the top layers of skin can be damaged or abraded from
excess rubbing of skin (such as elbows/heels) on /or against external surfaces.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Pressure ulcers/injuries are caused by ischemia. - ANS✔✔ T
Tissues need intermittent blood flow. Compression of tissue between a bone and external
surface/cast/splint or device, compresses blood vessels and can cut off the blood flow to tissue
resulting in ischemia that causes tissue damage and, if prolonged, ulceration
TRUE OR FALSE
, ___ Maceration toughens the skin. - ANS✔✔ F
Maceration causes cellular edema, which makes the cell more vulnerable to breakdown.
Healthy skin is "cool and dry"; macerated skin is "at risk".
Name 2 preventive interventions for skin tears: - ANS✔✔ For patients with/ or at risk for skin
tears, caution should be used with their skin at all times to avoid injury and damage. Aggressive,
adhesive products/tapes/dressings should be avoided when at all possible. Dressings can be
secured with roller gauze or wraps instead of tapes. If taping cannot be avoided, skin sealants or
protective dressings can be placed on the skin prior to application of the tape to prevent
stripping of the skin on removal. Patients' skin should be treated/handled gently at all times to
prevent injury. Emollients should be routinely applied to help keep skin supple to resist injury.
Protective sleeves, garments or clothes can provide a protective layer over the skin to prevent
injury. Staff should use lift sheets or lift products for transfers and avoid grasping patients by
their limbs.
Which of the following represents appropriate goals for topical management of a skin tear with
total flap loss?
A. Debridement necrotic tissue; treatment infection; management exudate
B. Establishment open wound edges; maintenance moist wound surface; prevention infection
C. Avoidance further trauma; absorption exudate; maintenance moist wound surface
D. Wicking of tunnels; prevention infection; creation dry wound surface - ANS✔✔ C
Goals are to prevent additional damage - thus dressings with aggressive adhesives must be
avoided. In addition, it is important to absorb any exudate since chronic wound fluid impairs the
repair process, and to maintain a moist wound surface, in order to maintain cell viability and
promote cell migration. There are a number of dressing protocols that can be used to
implement these key principles.
List at least two dressings that could be used appropriately for skin tear management. - ANS✔✔
Appropriate dressings for skin tears with partial or total flap loss would include:
--Gentle adhesive foam dressings: these dressings provide exudate control, a moist wound
surface, and atraumatic removal.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Normal pH of skin is alkaline. - ANS✔✔ F
The pH of normal, healthy skin is slightly acid, not alkaline.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Dermis is normally acid and dry - ANS✔✔ F
Dermis is the inner most layer of skin that is naturally moist and slightly acid.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Epidermis can regenerate - ANS✔✔ T
Epidermis is the outer layer of skin, composed of stratified squamous epithelial cells, which can
reproduce/regenerate to replace lost cells.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Subcutaneous tissue is the 3rd layer of the skin. - ANS✔✔ F
Subcutaneous tissue is not a layer of skin. Only the epidermis and dermis comprise the skin.
Subcutaneous tissue is fatty tissue/adipose tissue underneath the skin that provides padding
and protection.
Muscle tissue is more susceptible to pressure injury than skin. - ANS✔✔ T
Muscle tissue is highly vascular with a higher metabolic rate and therefore is more susceptible
than skin to effects of prolonged pressure. Muscle is also not capable of
reproduction/regeneration.
,Identify anatomical differences that increase the risk of skin tears among newborns and the
elderly. __________ - ANS✔✔ Rete pegs and rete ridges are epidermal protrusions that project
down into the dermis to interlock with the dermal papillae to provide strength and stability of
the skin layers and prevent skin tears. Without the interlocking of the epidermis to the dermis,
or if there is flattening of this junction, the epidermis can easily be torn away from the dermis.
This interlocking feature has not yet formed in the newborn, and is lost in the elderly; this
results in reduced cohesion between the epidermis and dermis, and increased risk for skin
tears. There is decreased cohesion between the epidermis and dermis in the very young and in
the elderly.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Pressure applied to the skin causes the greatest amount of pressure at the epidermis. -
ANS✔✔ F
Pressure extends from the surface in a pressure gradient with the highest pressure at the
bone/tissue interface rather than at the skin surface. Pressure usually results in full thickness
damage.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Partial thickness (superficial) breakdown can be caused by friction or maceration - ANS✔✔
T
Superficial partial thickness skin ulcers are loss of epidermis and possible partial loss of the
dermis. The damage occurs from top down in superficial injuries. Overhydrated skin is more
susceptible to injury and friction where the top layers of skin can be damaged or abraded from
excess rubbing of skin (such as elbows/heels) on /or against external surfaces.
TRUE OR FALSE
___ Pressure ulcers/injuries are caused by ischemia. - ANS✔✔ T
Tissues need intermittent blood flow. Compression of tissue between a bone and external
surface/cast/splint or device, compresses blood vessels and can cut off the blood flow to tissue
resulting in ischemia that causes tissue damage and, if prolonged, ulceration
TRUE OR FALSE
, ___ Maceration toughens the skin. - ANS✔✔ F
Maceration causes cellular edema, which makes the cell more vulnerable to breakdown.
Healthy skin is "cool and dry"; macerated skin is "at risk".
Name 2 preventive interventions for skin tears: - ANS✔✔ For patients with/ or at risk for skin
tears, caution should be used with their skin at all times to avoid injury and damage. Aggressive,
adhesive products/tapes/dressings should be avoided when at all possible. Dressings can be
secured with roller gauze or wraps instead of tapes. If taping cannot be avoided, skin sealants or
protective dressings can be placed on the skin prior to application of the tape to prevent
stripping of the skin on removal. Patients' skin should be treated/handled gently at all times to
prevent injury. Emollients should be routinely applied to help keep skin supple to resist injury.
Protective sleeves, garments or clothes can provide a protective layer over the skin to prevent
injury. Staff should use lift sheets or lift products for transfers and avoid grasping patients by
their limbs.
Which of the following represents appropriate goals for topical management of a skin tear with
total flap loss?
A. Debridement necrotic tissue; treatment infection; management exudate
B. Establishment open wound edges; maintenance moist wound surface; prevention infection
C. Avoidance further trauma; absorption exudate; maintenance moist wound surface
D. Wicking of tunnels; prevention infection; creation dry wound surface - ANS✔✔ C
Goals are to prevent additional damage - thus dressings with aggressive adhesives must be
avoided. In addition, it is important to absorb any exudate since chronic wound fluid impairs the
repair process, and to maintain a moist wound surface, in order to maintain cell viability and
promote cell migration. There are a number of dressing protocols that can be used to
implement these key principles.
List at least two dressings that could be used appropriately for skin tear management. - ANS✔✔
Appropriate dressings for skin tears with partial or total flap loss would include:
--Gentle adhesive foam dressings: these dressings provide exudate control, a moist wound
surface, and atraumatic removal.
