1
NURS 5354 FINAL EXAM ACTUAL
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS
What is a single suture strand called? - (ANSWER)Monofilament; more resistant
to harboring microorganisms.
What are several filaments twisted or braided together called? -
(ANSWER)Multifilament; They are less stiff, have greater tensile strength but fluid
may be absorbed along the filament to introduce pathogens. Infection risk!
What are absorbable sutures? - (ANSWER)Two types: Natural-surgical gut; plain
or surgical gut chromic (treated with chromium salt)
Synthetic polymers-Vicryl (braided suture) or monocryl (monofilament)
What are non-absorbable sutures? - (ANSWER)Two types: Natural-Surgical silk
Synthetic-Nylon (Ethilon) or Polyprolene (Prolene)
How do you determine the diameter of a suture? - (ANSWER)The smaller the
number, the larger the strand.
Ex: a 2-0 is larger than 5-0 suture.
What size suture would you use for the face? - (ANSWER)5-0 or 6-0
,2
What size suture would you use for the scalp? - (ANSWER)4-0
What size suture would you use for the upper body? - (ANSWER)4-0
What size suture would you use for the hand? - (ANSWER)4-0 or 5-0
What size suture would you use for the lower body? - (ANSWER)4-0
What size suture would you use over a joint? - (ANSWER)4-0
What suture pattern would be used for a laceration with irregular edges? -
(ANSWER)Interrupted
What suture pattern is best for high tension wounds, palms/feet or over joint
areas? - (ANSWER)Horizontal mattress
What suture pattern is best for loose/thin skin? - (ANSWER)Vertical mattress
What suture pattern would be used on lacerations with low risk for infection and
low wound tension? - (ANSWER)Continuous
, 3
How far apart should two sutures be from one another? - (ANSWER)No closer
than 2 mm in a fine plastic closure. The distance between sutures should equal
half the total distance across the incision.
When should sutures be removed from the face? - (ANSWER)4-5 days
When should sutures be removed from the scalp? - (ANSWER)10-14 days
When should sutures be removed from the upper body? - (ANSWER)7-10 days
When should sutures be removed from the hand? - (ANSWER)7-10 days
When should sutures be removed from the lower body? - (ANSWER)10-14 days
When should sutures be removed over joints? - (ANSWER)14-21 days
Consult/referral should be done for...? - (ANSWER)Deep wounds of the hand or
foot, lacerations of the eyelid/lip/ear, lacerations involving tendon, nerves,
arteries, bones or joints, penetrating wounds of unknown depth, severe crush
injuries, severely contaminated wounds requiring drainage, wounds for which the
patient or clinical is strongly concerned about cosmetic outcome. and galea
What are other methods of wound repair/closure? - (ANSWER)Tape, adhesives or
staples
NURS 5354 FINAL EXAM ACTUAL
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS
What is a single suture strand called? - (ANSWER)Monofilament; more resistant
to harboring microorganisms.
What are several filaments twisted or braided together called? -
(ANSWER)Multifilament; They are less stiff, have greater tensile strength but fluid
may be absorbed along the filament to introduce pathogens. Infection risk!
What are absorbable sutures? - (ANSWER)Two types: Natural-surgical gut; plain
or surgical gut chromic (treated with chromium salt)
Synthetic polymers-Vicryl (braided suture) or monocryl (monofilament)
What are non-absorbable sutures? - (ANSWER)Two types: Natural-Surgical silk
Synthetic-Nylon (Ethilon) or Polyprolene (Prolene)
How do you determine the diameter of a suture? - (ANSWER)The smaller the
number, the larger the strand.
Ex: a 2-0 is larger than 5-0 suture.
What size suture would you use for the face? - (ANSWER)5-0 or 6-0
,2
What size suture would you use for the scalp? - (ANSWER)4-0
What size suture would you use for the upper body? - (ANSWER)4-0
What size suture would you use for the hand? - (ANSWER)4-0 or 5-0
What size suture would you use for the lower body? - (ANSWER)4-0
What size suture would you use over a joint? - (ANSWER)4-0
What suture pattern would be used for a laceration with irregular edges? -
(ANSWER)Interrupted
What suture pattern is best for high tension wounds, palms/feet or over joint
areas? - (ANSWER)Horizontal mattress
What suture pattern is best for loose/thin skin? - (ANSWER)Vertical mattress
What suture pattern would be used on lacerations with low risk for infection and
low wound tension? - (ANSWER)Continuous
, 3
How far apart should two sutures be from one another? - (ANSWER)No closer
than 2 mm in a fine plastic closure. The distance between sutures should equal
half the total distance across the incision.
When should sutures be removed from the face? - (ANSWER)4-5 days
When should sutures be removed from the scalp? - (ANSWER)10-14 days
When should sutures be removed from the upper body? - (ANSWER)7-10 days
When should sutures be removed from the hand? - (ANSWER)7-10 days
When should sutures be removed from the lower body? - (ANSWER)10-14 days
When should sutures be removed over joints? - (ANSWER)14-21 days
Consult/referral should be done for...? - (ANSWER)Deep wounds of the hand or
foot, lacerations of the eyelid/lip/ear, lacerations involving tendon, nerves,
arteries, bones or joints, penetrating wounds of unknown depth, severe crush
injuries, severely contaminated wounds requiring drainage, wounds for which the
patient or clinical is strongly concerned about cosmetic outcome. and galea
What are other methods of wound repair/closure? - (ANSWER)Tape, adhesives or
staples
