CERTIFIED WOUND CARE NURSE
(CWCN) PRACTICE EXAMINATION
1. During the inflammatory phase of wound healing, which cells are the first to arrive at the
site of injury and are responsible for phagocytosis?
A. Lymphocytes
B. Fibroblasts
C. Neutrophils
D. Keratinocytes
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Neutrophils are the first leukocytes to arrive at the wound site,
typically within 24-48 hours, to begin the process of clearing bacteria and debris via
phagocytosis.
2. A patient presents with a pressure injury that involves full-thickness skin loss with visible
subcutaneous fat, but bone, tendon, and muscle are not exposed. Slough is present but does
not obscure the depth. What is the NPUAP stage?
A. Stage 2
B. Unstageable
,C. Stage 4
D. Stage 3
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Stage 3 involves full-thickness tissue loss. Subcutaneous fat may
be visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle are not exposed. If the wound was covered by
slough or eschar such that the depth could not be determined, it would be Unstageable.
3. Which of the following Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) values indicates that high-level
compression therapy is strictly contraindicated?
A. 0.9
B. 0.4
C. 1.2
D. 0.7
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: An ABPI of 0.5 or less indicates severe peripheral arterial
disease (PAD). High compression (30-40 mmHg) is contraindicated as it may further
compromise arterial blood flow.
4. Which type of debridement utilizes the body’s own endogenous enzymes and moisture
beneath a semi-occlusive or occlusive dressing to liquefy non-viable tissue?
A. Mechanical debridement
, B. Autolytic debridement
C. Enzymatic debridement
D. Biological debridement
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Autolytic debridement uses the body’s own enzymes to break
down necrotic tissue under a moisture-retentive dressing. Enzymatic debridement involves
applying exogenous chemical agents like collagenase.
5. A diabetic patient has a painless ulcer on the plantar surface of the foot with a thick rim of
callus. What is the most likely etiology?
A. Neuropathic ulcer
B. Venous insufficiency
C. Arterial insufficiency
D. Pressure injury
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Neuropathic (diabetic) ulcers typically occur on weight-bearing
surfaces (plantar aspect), are painless due to neuropathy, and are often surrounded by
hyperkeratosis (callus).
(CWCN) PRACTICE EXAMINATION
1. During the inflammatory phase of wound healing, which cells are the first to arrive at the
site of injury and are responsible for phagocytosis?
A. Lymphocytes
B. Fibroblasts
C. Neutrophils
D. Keratinocytes
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Neutrophils are the first leukocytes to arrive at the wound site,
typically within 24-48 hours, to begin the process of clearing bacteria and debris via
phagocytosis.
2. A patient presents with a pressure injury that involves full-thickness skin loss with visible
subcutaneous fat, but bone, tendon, and muscle are not exposed. Slough is present but does
not obscure the depth. What is the NPUAP stage?
A. Stage 2
B. Unstageable
,C. Stage 4
D. Stage 3
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Stage 3 involves full-thickness tissue loss. Subcutaneous fat may
be visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle are not exposed. If the wound was covered by
slough or eschar such that the depth could not be determined, it would be Unstageable.
3. Which of the following Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) values indicates that high-level
compression therapy is strictly contraindicated?
A. 0.9
B. 0.4
C. 1.2
D. 0.7
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: An ABPI of 0.5 or less indicates severe peripheral arterial
disease (PAD). High compression (30-40 mmHg) is contraindicated as it may further
compromise arterial blood flow.
4. Which type of debridement utilizes the body’s own endogenous enzymes and moisture
beneath a semi-occlusive or occlusive dressing to liquefy non-viable tissue?
A. Mechanical debridement
, B. Autolytic debridement
C. Enzymatic debridement
D. Biological debridement
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Autolytic debridement uses the body’s own enzymes to break
down necrotic tissue under a moisture-retentive dressing. Enzymatic debridement involves
applying exogenous chemical agents like collagenase.
5. A diabetic patient has a painless ulcer on the plantar surface of the foot with a thick rim of
callus. What is the most likely etiology?
A. Neuropathic ulcer
B. Venous insufficiency
C. Arterial insufficiency
D. Pressure injury
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Neuropathic (diabetic) ulcers typically occur on weight-bearing
surfaces (plantar aspect), are painless due to neuropathy, and are often surrounded by
hyperkeratosis (callus).
