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

How is a quantitative swab for wound culture best performed?

1. Using a high-pressure jet

2. By swabbing with little force

3. By swabbing 1 square cm of viable tissue with enough force to produce exudate

4. Only by visual inspection of the wound

The correct answer is: By swabbing 1 square cm of viable tissue with enough force to produce exudate

A quantitative swab for wound culture is best performed by swabbing 1 square cm of viable tissue with enough force to produce exudate. This method is effective because it ensures that an adequate sample is collected from the area most likely to harbor pathogenic bacteria. By focusing on a specific area of viable tissue, the clinician can obtain a representative sample of the microbial population present in the wound. Using appropriate force is critical as it helps to break through any surface debris and ensures that enough exudate is obtained for accurate culture results. This approach allows for a more reliable assessment of the wound's microbiological state and guides appropriate treatment decisions based on the presence and type of bacteria identified. In contrast to other methods, such as using a high-pressure jet or swabbing with little force, these options may either disrupt the wound too much or fail to collect sufficient material for accurate culture, leading to misleading results. Relying solely on visual inspection does not provide any microbiological data to inform treatment, making it infeasible for effective management of wound care.