Wound care principles — MCQs

The surgical equipment used during a craniectomy is sterilized using pressurized steam at 121°C for 15 minutes. Reuse of these instruments can cause transmission of which of the following pathogens?

A 62-year-old woman is hospitalized for an open reduction of a fracture of her right femur following a motor vehicle accident 2 hours prior. She has had rheumatoid arthritis for 12 years. She was hospitalized 1 month ago for an exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis. Since then, she has been taking a higher dose of prednisone to control the flare. Her other medications include calcium supplements, methotrexate, and etanercept. She has had appropriate nutrition over the years with regular follow-ups with her healthcare providers. Her vital signs are within normal limits. Cardiovascular examination shows no abnormalities. In order to reduce the risk of post-operative wound failure, which of the following is the most appropriate modification in this patient’s drug regimen?

A 48-year-old man is brought to the emergency department with a stab wound to his chest. The wound is treated in the emergency room. Three months later he develops a firm 4 x 3 cm nodular mass with intact epithelium over the site of the chest wound. On local examination, the scar is firm, non-tender, and there is no erythema. The mass is excised and microscopic examination reveals fibroblasts with plentiful collagen. Which of the following processes is most likely related to the series of events mentioned above?

A 37-year-old man is brought to the emergency department because he was found down on a city sidewalk. Upon presentation he is found to be disheveled with multiple poorly healed wounds on his hands and feet. He has had dozens of previous presentations for alcohol intoxication and is currently known to be homeless. Physical examination reveals multiple minor wounds, alopecia, and decreased axillary hair. Upon being aroused, the patient reveals that he has had difficulty with taste and smell and has also had severe diarrhea over the last week. The deficient substance most likely responsible for this patient's symptoms is associated with which of the following proteins?

Five days after undergoing right knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis, a 68-year-old man has severe pain in his right knee preventing him from participating in physical therapy. On the third postoperative day when the dressing was changed, the surgical wound appeared to be intact, slightly swollen, and had a clear secretion. He has a history of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Current medications include metformin, enalapril, and simvastatin. His temperature is 37.3°C (99.1°F), pulse is 94/min, and blood pressure is 130/88 mm Hg. His right knee is swollen, erythematous, and tender to palpation. There is pain on movement of the joint. The medial parapatellar skin incision appears superficially opened in its proximal and distal part with yellow-green discharge. There is blackening of the skin on both sides of the incision. Which of the following is the next best step in the management of this patient?

A 15-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by ambulance after his mother found him having muscle spasms and stiffness in his room. His mother stated he scraped his foot on a rusty razor on the bathroom floor 2 days prior. On presentation, his temperature is 102.0°F (38.9°C), blood pressure is 108/73 mmHg, pulse is 122/min, and respirations are 18/min. On physical exam, he is found to have severe muscle spasms and rigid abdominal muscles. In addition, he has a dirty appearing wound on his right foot. The patient's mother does not recall any further vaccinations since age 12. Finally, he is found to have difficulty opening his mouth so he is intubated. Which of the following treatment(s) should be provided to this patient?

A 14-year-old girl is brought to the physician after she accidentally cut her right forearm earlier that morning while working with her mother's embroidery scissors. She has no history of serious illness. The mother says she went to elementary and middle school abroad and is not sure if she received all of her childhood vaccinations. She appears healthy. Her temperature is 37°C (98.6 °F), pulse 90/min, and blood pressure is 102/68 mm Hg. Examination shows a clean 2-cm laceration on her right forearm with surrounding edema. There is no erythema or discharge. The wound is irrigated with water and washed with soap. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 60-year-old male presents with fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and lower extremity edema. Physical examination reveals an elevated jugular venous pressure and an S3 heart sound. Which of the following medications is most likely to improve this patient's symptoms?

A 56-year-old woman undergoes open reduction and internal fixation of the distal tibia 1 day after a fall. She has had rheumatoid arthritis for 12 years and diabetes mellitus for 2 years. Her medications over the past year have included metformin, prednisone, calcium supplements, and methotrexate. Prior to surgery, insulin was added to her medications, and the dose of prednisone was increased. She has had appropriate nutrition over the years with regular follow-ups with her healthcare professional. Which of the following is the most appropriate supplement to prevent wound failure in this patient?

A 38-year-old woman comes to the physician for the first time because of a 2-year history of lower back pain and fatigue. She also says that she occasionally feels out of breath. Her symptoms are not associated with physical activity. She has seen multiple physicians over the past year. Extensive workup including blood and urine tests, abdominal ultrasound, MRI of the back, and cardiac stress testing have shown no abnormalities. The patient asks for a medication to alleviate her symptoms. Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the physician?