2026 Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN
Certification Exam) by WOCNCB New Latest
Version with 200 Questions, Correct Answers
and Rationales
1. A wound with irregular edges, minimal exudate, and surrounding
hyperpigmentation is MOST consistent with:
A. Arterial ulcer
B. Venous ulcer
C. Pressure injury
D. Diabetic neuropathic ulcer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Venous ulcers typically have irregular borders, moderate to heavy
exudate, and surrounding hyperpigmentation (hemosiderin staining). They are
commonly located at the medial malleolus.
2. Which finding BEST differentiates an arterial ulcer from a venous ulcer?
A. Presence of exudate
B. Location near ankle
C. Pain increased with elevation
D. Edema
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Arterial ulcers cause pain that increases with elevation (due to
decreased blood flow) and decreases when the leg is dependent. Venous ulcers
often have edema and exudate.
3. A patient with an ABI of 0.6 has a venous leg ulcer. What is the MOST
appropriate intervention?
A. Full compression therapy
,B. No compression
C. Modified/light compression
D. Immediate surgical debridement
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: An ABI between 0.5 and 0.8 indicates moderate arterial disease; only
light or modified compression is safe. Full compression is contraindicated due to
risk of ischemia.
4. Which pressure injury stage includes full-thickness tissue loss with visible bone
or tendon?
A. Stage 2
B. Stage 3
C. Stage 4
D. Unstageable
Correct Answer: C
*Explanation: Stage 4 pressure injury involves full-thickness tissue loss with
exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. Stage 3 has subcutaneous fat visible but not
deeper structures.*
5. A wound covered with stable, dry eschar on the heel should be:
A. Sharply debrided
B. Chemically debrided
C. Left intact
D. Irrigated daily
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Stable, dry eschar on the heel acts as a natural biological cover.
Debridement is not indicated unless there are signs of infection (drainage,
erythema, fluctuance).
6. Which wound environment BEST promotes epithelialization?
A. Dry wound bed
,B. Moist wound bed
C. Wet wound bed
D. Exposed wound bed
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A moist wound environment facilitates epithelial cell migration,
reduces pain, and promotes granulation. Overly wet or dry environments delay
healing.
7. Which dressing is MOST appropriate for a heavily exudative wound?
A. Hydrogel
B. Transparent film
C. Alginate
D. Hydrocolloid
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Alginate dressings (calcium alginate) absorb heavy exudate, forming
a gel that maintains a moist environment. Hydrogel is for dry wounds, film for
minimal drainage, hydrocolloid for light to moderate exudate.
8. A diabetic foot ulcer on the plantar surface is MOST commonly caused by:
A. Vascular insufficiency
B. Venous hypertension
C. Neuropathy and pressure
D. Infection
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Diabetic foot ulcers result from peripheral neuropathy (loss of
protective sensation) combined with repetitive pressure or trauma. Vascular
insufficiency may be a contributing factor but is not the primary cause.
9. Which intervention is the PRIORITY for prevention of pressure injuries?
A. Nutritional supplements
B. Specialty mattress
, C. Repositioning schedule
D. Moisture management
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Regular repositioning to offload pressure is the most effective
preventive measure. Support surfaces and nutrition are adjunctive.
10. A wound with rolled edges (epibole) indicates:
A. Infection
B. Chronic inflammation
C. Poor oxygenation
D. Stalled epithelialization
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Epibole (rolled, thickened wound edges) indicates that epithelial
migration has stalled, often due to chronic inflammation or biofilm. Debridement
of rolled edges may be needed.
11. A patient has a wound with 70% yellow slough and 30% red granulation tissue.
What is the priority intervention?
A. Apply a transparent film dressing
B. Debride the slough
C. Start negative pressure wound therapy
D. Apply a dry gauze dressing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Debridement of non-viable tissue (slough) is essential to promote
granulation and healing. Options include sharp, enzymatic, autolytic, or
mechanical debridement.
12. Which laboratory finding is most concerning in a patient with a chronic
wound?
A. Hemoglobin 10.5 g/dL
B. Serum albumin 2.8 g/dL
Certification Exam) by WOCNCB New Latest
Version with 200 Questions, Correct Answers
and Rationales
1. A wound with irregular edges, minimal exudate, and surrounding
hyperpigmentation is MOST consistent with:
A. Arterial ulcer
B. Venous ulcer
C. Pressure injury
D. Diabetic neuropathic ulcer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Venous ulcers typically have irregular borders, moderate to heavy
exudate, and surrounding hyperpigmentation (hemosiderin staining). They are
commonly located at the medial malleolus.
2. Which finding BEST differentiates an arterial ulcer from a venous ulcer?
A. Presence of exudate
B. Location near ankle
C. Pain increased with elevation
D. Edema
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Arterial ulcers cause pain that increases with elevation (due to
decreased blood flow) and decreases when the leg is dependent. Venous ulcers
often have edema and exudate.
3. A patient with an ABI of 0.6 has a venous leg ulcer. What is the MOST
appropriate intervention?
A. Full compression therapy
,B. No compression
C. Modified/light compression
D. Immediate surgical debridement
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: An ABI between 0.5 and 0.8 indicates moderate arterial disease; only
light or modified compression is safe. Full compression is contraindicated due to
risk of ischemia.
4. Which pressure injury stage includes full-thickness tissue loss with visible bone
or tendon?
A. Stage 2
B. Stage 3
C. Stage 4
D. Unstageable
Correct Answer: C
*Explanation: Stage 4 pressure injury involves full-thickness tissue loss with
exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. Stage 3 has subcutaneous fat visible but not
deeper structures.*
5. A wound covered with stable, dry eschar on the heel should be:
A. Sharply debrided
B. Chemically debrided
C. Left intact
D. Irrigated daily
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Stable, dry eschar on the heel acts as a natural biological cover.
Debridement is not indicated unless there are signs of infection (drainage,
erythema, fluctuance).
6. Which wound environment BEST promotes epithelialization?
A. Dry wound bed
,B. Moist wound bed
C. Wet wound bed
D. Exposed wound bed
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A moist wound environment facilitates epithelial cell migration,
reduces pain, and promotes granulation. Overly wet or dry environments delay
healing.
7. Which dressing is MOST appropriate for a heavily exudative wound?
A. Hydrogel
B. Transparent film
C. Alginate
D. Hydrocolloid
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Alginate dressings (calcium alginate) absorb heavy exudate, forming
a gel that maintains a moist environment. Hydrogel is for dry wounds, film for
minimal drainage, hydrocolloid for light to moderate exudate.
8. A diabetic foot ulcer on the plantar surface is MOST commonly caused by:
A. Vascular insufficiency
B. Venous hypertension
C. Neuropathy and pressure
D. Infection
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Diabetic foot ulcers result from peripheral neuropathy (loss of
protective sensation) combined with repetitive pressure or trauma. Vascular
insufficiency may be a contributing factor but is not the primary cause.
9. Which intervention is the PRIORITY for prevention of pressure injuries?
A. Nutritional supplements
B. Specialty mattress
, C. Repositioning schedule
D. Moisture management
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Regular repositioning to offload pressure is the most effective
preventive measure. Support surfaces and nutrition are adjunctive.
10. A wound with rolled edges (epibole) indicates:
A. Infection
B. Chronic inflammation
C. Poor oxygenation
D. Stalled epithelialization
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Epibole (rolled, thickened wound edges) indicates that epithelial
migration has stalled, often due to chronic inflammation or biofilm. Debridement
of rolled edges may be needed.
11. A patient has a wound with 70% yellow slough and 30% red granulation tissue.
What is the priority intervention?
A. Apply a transparent film dressing
B. Debride the slough
C. Start negative pressure wound therapy
D. Apply a dry gauze dressing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Debridement of non-viable tissue (slough) is essential to promote
granulation and healing. Options include sharp, enzymatic, autolytic, or
mechanical debridement.
12. Which laboratory finding is most concerning in a patient with a chronic
wound?
A. Hemoglobin 10.5 g/dL
B. Serum albumin 2.8 g/dL
