Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) Practice Exam

Beta hemolytic streptococcus counts greater than which value indicate infection in an acute wound?

1. 10^2

2. 10^3

3. 10^4

4. 10^5

The correct answer is: 10^3

In the context of acute wound infections, a count of beta-hemolytic streptococcus greater than 10^3 CFU/mL (colony-forming units per milliliter) serves as an important threshold indicating the presence of an infection. When assessing wound specimens, microbiological evaluations often use bacterial counts to determine the likelihood of infection. A count above 10^3 CFU/mL typically signifies that the bacteria are present in sufficient quantities to potentially lead to infection, particularly since beta-hemolytic streptococcus is associated with various infections, ranging from mild skin infections to more severe systemic issues. The value of 10^3 is critical because it reflects the transition point at which colonization may become pathogenic, and clinical intervention is usually warranted at this level. Thus, counts over this threshold should prompt clinicians to investigate further and consider treatment options.