Emory Wound Exam 1 — 100 Practice
Questions with Answers
Section 1: Skin Structure & Function (Q1–30)
1. Which structure of the skin provides the body with photoprotective properties by
absorbing harmful UV light?
A) Langerhans cells
B) Melanin
C) Odland bodies
D) Stratum lucidum
Answer: B
Rationale: Melanin, produced by melanocytes in the stratum basale, absorbs UV radiation to
protect deeper skin layers from DNA damage. While Langerhans cells are immune cells, they
do not provide photoprotection .
2. What is the unique function of the layer of the epidermis known as the stratum basale?
A) Providing immunity via Langerhans cells
B) Producing new epithelial cells
C) Releasing lipids to maintain normal brick and mortar skin configuration
D) Protecting the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
Answer: B
Rationale: The stratum basale is the reproductive layer of the epidermis, characterized by
proliferating keratinocytes that continuously divide to produce new epithelial cells, which
then migrate upward to replace cells lost from the skin surface .
3. Which cells located in the dermis produce collagen and elastin critical to immune
function and healing?
A) Leukotrienes
B) Prostaglandins
C) Macrophages
D) Fibroblasts
Answer: D
,Rationale: Fibroblasts are the primary cells in the dermis responsible for producing collagen,
elastin, and extracellular matrix components essential for wound healing and maintaining
skin structure and integrity .
4. Which patient's wound would the WCN expect to heal by scar formation?
A) A head wound extending beyond the hair follicles
B) A shallow wound on the hand
C) A stage 2 pressure injury
D) A first-degree burn
Answer: A
Rationale: The epidermal appendages, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle do not have the
ability to regenerate, and wounds involving loss of these structures will heal by scar
formation .
5. Which of the following statements accurately describes how the skin functions as a
barrier between the internal and external environments?
A) The skin lipids bind water, normally maintaining skin water content at 20% or higher
B) When the barrier function of the skin is compromised, transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
decreases
C) Protection against pathogenic invasion is supported by an acidic pH of the skin
D) Merkel receptors embedded in the eECM contribute to mechanical rigidity
Answer: C
Rationale: The skin's "acid mantle" (pH 4.5-5.5) inhibits bacterial growth. Barrier
compromise leads to increased TEWL, not decreased .
6. The WCN assessing the skin of patients in a nursing home keeps in mind the structural
changes that occur in aging skin. What is one of these changes?
A) Increase in melanocytes
B) Rounding of dermal-epidermal junction
C) Increase in Mast Cells
D) Decrease in collagen
Answer: D
Rationale: Aging skin shows decreased collagen production, flattening (not rounding) of the
dermal-epidermal junction, and reduced melanocytes, making it more fragile and prone to
tearing .
7. On which body site would the transepidermal application of a medication obtain the
greatest percutaneous absorption?
, A) Plantar surface of the foot
B) Forearm
C) Forehead
D) Hand
Answer: C
Rationale: The forehead has thinner stratum corneum and higher vascularity, resulting in
greater absorption compared to palms, soles, or forearms. Regional permeability ranking:
nail < palm/sole < trunk/extremities < face/scalp < scrotum .
8. Which principle of skin care product use would the WCN include in a teaching plan for a
patient with a leg wound?
A) Use alkaline soaps and cleaners to neutralize acidic skin
B) Do not use products on the skin that have known sensitizers
C) Bathe frequently using water that is as hot as tolerated
D) Allow skin to dry completely before applying moisturizer
Answer: B
Rationale: Products with known sensitizers should be avoided to prevent allergic contact
dermatitis, which can further compromise skin integrity and delay wound healing .
9. Which layer of skin contains cells that release lipids such as ceramides to maintain the
normal "brick and mortar" skin barrier function?
A) Stratum germinativum
B) Stratum basale
C) Stratum spinosum
D) Stratum granulosum
Answer: D
Rationale: The stratum granulosum contains cells that release lipids, including ceramides,
which form the "mortar" between corneocytes ("bricks") to maintain the skin barrier
function .
10. Daily bathing is not usually necessary for which patient populations?
A) Neonates and elderly
B) All age groups should bathe daily
C) Middle aged adults on steroids
D) Toddlers and young adults
Answer: A
Questions with Answers
Section 1: Skin Structure & Function (Q1–30)
1. Which structure of the skin provides the body with photoprotective properties by
absorbing harmful UV light?
A) Langerhans cells
B) Melanin
C) Odland bodies
D) Stratum lucidum
Answer: B
Rationale: Melanin, produced by melanocytes in the stratum basale, absorbs UV radiation to
protect deeper skin layers from DNA damage. While Langerhans cells are immune cells, they
do not provide photoprotection .
2. What is the unique function of the layer of the epidermis known as the stratum basale?
A) Providing immunity via Langerhans cells
B) Producing new epithelial cells
C) Releasing lipids to maintain normal brick and mortar skin configuration
D) Protecting the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
Answer: B
Rationale: The stratum basale is the reproductive layer of the epidermis, characterized by
proliferating keratinocytes that continuously divide to produce new epithelial cells, which
then migrate upward to replace cells lost from the skin surface .
3. Which cells located in the dermis produce collagen and elastin critical to immune
function and healing?
A) Leukotrienes
B) Prostaglandins
C) Macrophages
D) Fibroblasts
Answer: D
,Rationale: Fibroblasts are the primary cells in the dermis responsible for producing collagen,
elastin, and extracellular matrix components essential for wound healing and maintaining
skin structure and integrity .
4. Which patient's wound would the WCN expect to heal by scar formation?
A) A head wound extending beyond the hair follicles
B) A shallow wound on the hand
C) A stage 2 pressure injury
D) A first-degree burn
Answer: A
Rationale: The epidermal appendages, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle do not have the
ability to regenerate, and wounds involving loss of these structures will heal by scar
formation .
5. Which of the following statements accurately describes how the skin functions as a
barrier between the internal and external environments?
A) The skin lipids bind water, normally maintaining skin water content at 20% or higher
B) When the barrier function of the skin is compromised, transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
decreases
C) Protection against pathogenic invasion is supported by an acidic pH of the skin
D) Merkel receptors embedded in the eECM contribute to mechanical rigidity
Answer: C
Rationale: The skin's "acid mantle" (pH 4.5-5.5) inhibits bacterial growth. Barrier
compromise leads to increased TEWL, not decreased .
6. The WCN assessing the skin of patients in a nursing home keeps in mind the structural
changes that occur in aging skin. What is one of these changes?
A) Increase in melanocytes
B) Rounding of dermal-epidermal junction
C) Increase in Mast Cells
D) Decrease in collagen
Answer: D
Rationale: Aging skin shows decreased collagen production, flattening (not rounding) of the
dermal-epidermal junction, and reduced melanocytes, making it more fragile and prone to
tearing .
7. On which body site would the transepidermal application of a medication obtain the
greatest percutaneous absorption?
, A) Plantar surface of the foot
B) Forearm
C) Forehead
D) Hand
Answer: C
Rationale: The forehead has thinner stratum corneum and higher vascularity, resulting in
greater absorption compared to palms, soles, or forearms. Regional permeability ranking:
nail < palm/sole < trunk/extremities < face/scalp < scrotum .
8. Which principle of skin care product use would the WCN include in a teaching plan for a
patient with a leg wound?
A) Use alkaline soaps and cleaners to neutralize acidic skin
B) Do not use products on the skin that have known sensitizers
C) Bathe frequently using water that is as hot as tolerated
D) Allow skin to dry completely before applying moisturizer
Answer: B
Rationale: Products with known sensitizers should be avoided to prevent allergic contact
dermatitis, which can further compromise skin integrity and delay wound healing .
9. Which layer of skin contains cells that release lipids such as ceramides to maintain the
normal "brick and mortar" skin barrier function?
A) Stratum germinativum
B) Stratum basale
C) Stratum spinosum
D) Stratum granulosum
Answer: D
Rationale: The stratum granulosum contains cells that release lipids, including ceramides,
which form the "mortar" between corneocytes ("bricks") to maintain the skin barrier
function .
10. Daily bathing is not usually necessary for which patient populations?
A) Neonates and elderly
B) All age groups should bathe daily
C) Middle aged adults on steroids
D) Toddlers and young adults
Answer: A
