and Answers
Wound Healing Physiology
1. A continuous flow of oxygen is needed to maintain soft tissue
viability. True or False (L3)
Answer: False
Rationale: Intact tissues require only intermittent blood flow to
maintain viability; limited periods of ischemia are well-tolerated.
Intermittent delivery of oxygen by periodic restoration of blood flow
has been shown to be effective in maintaining soft tissue viability .
2. Intact tissues require only intermittent blood flow to maintain
viability; limited periods of ischemia are well-tolerated. (L3) True or
False
Answer: True
Rationale: The body can tolerate short periods of reduced blood flow
without permanent tissue damage. This is why healthy individuals can
remain in one position for periods of time without developing pressure
injuries .
3. Cellular senescence contributes to non-healing wounds because key
cells fail to reproduce and to engage in the activities critical to
, repair (e.g., fibroblasts fail to reproduce and to synthesize
collagen). (L1) True or False
Answer: True
Rationale: Cellular senescence is a state where cells stop dividing and
lose their functional capacity. In chronic wounds, fibroblasts and other
key cells become senescent and cannot perform the functions
necessary for healing, such as collagen synthesis and cell replication .
4. In THEORY, bleeding (as with debridement) converts the chronic
wound to an acute wound. (L4) True or False
Answer: True
Rationale: The theory behind aggressive debridement to the point of
bleeding is that it removes non-viable tissue and senescent cells,
introducing fresh blood, growth factors, and inflammatory mediators
that restart the healing process as if it were a new, acute wound .
5. Some studies show that debridement to the point of bleeding can
improve wound healing outcomes. (L4) True or False
Answer: True
Rationale: Research supports that aggressive debridement that induces
bleeding can convert a chronic, non-healing wound environment into
an acute wound environment, which is more conducive to healing .
6. Epithelial migration in the partial thickness repair process may
begin as early as 8 hours after wounding. (L4) True or False
Answer: True
,Rationale: In partial-thickness wounds where some dermal structures
remain, epithelial cells can begin migrating from hair follicles and sweat
glands as early as 8 hours after injury to begin resurfacing the wound .
7. The metabolic rate in soft tissues is relatively high, so soft tissue is
much more susceptible to ischemia than tissues with a low
metabolic rate, e.g., the brain. (L3) True or False
Answer: False
Rationale: This statement is false because the brain actually has a very
high metabolic rate and is extremely susceptible to ischemia. Soft tissue
has a lower metabolic rate compared to organs like the brain and heart
.
Skin Anatomy and Function
8. Which structure of the skin provides the body with photoprotective
properties by absorbing harmful UV light? (2)
A. Melanin
B. Langerhans cells C. Odland bodies
D. Stratum lucidum
Answer: A. Melanin
Rationale: Melanin is the pigment produced by melanocytes that
absorbs ultraviolet radiation and protects the deeper layers of the skin
from UV damage .
9. What is a unique function of the layer of the epidermis known as
the stratum basale? (2)
A. Providing immunity via Langerhans Cells
, B. Producing new epithelial cells
C. Releasing lipids to help maintain normal brick and mortar skin
configuration
D. Protecting the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
Answer: B. Producing new epithelial cells
Rationale: The stratum basale (also called stratum germinativum) is the
reproductive layer of the epidermis characterized by proliferating
keratinocytes that continuously divide to produce new epithelial cells .
10. Which cells located in the dermis produce collagen and elastin
critical to immune function and healing? (2)
A. Leukotrienes
B. Prostaglandins
C. Macrophages
D. Fibroblasts
Answer: D. Fibroblasts
Rationale: Fibroblasts are the primary cells in the dermis responsible
for producing collagen, elastin, and the extracellular matrix, all of which
are essential for wound healing and tissue integrity .
11. Which layer of skin contains cells that release lipids such as
ceramides to maintain the normal "brick and mortar" skin barrier
function? (2)
A. Stratum germinativum
B. Stratum basale
C. Stratum spinosum
D. Stratum granulosum
Answer: D. Stratum granulosum