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

What does crusting indicate?

1. Proliferating tissue made of capillary networks

2. Generalized redness

3. Scab of dried exudate of body fluid, blood, or pus

4. Loose, stringy, nonviable tissue

The correct answer is: Scab of dried exudate of body fluid, blood, or pus

Crusting is characterized by a hard layer that forms on the surface of wounds or skin lesions, typically consisting of dried exudate. This exudate can include various body fluids such as plasma, blood, or pus, which accumulate at the wound site. When these fluids dry out, they form a scab-like crust that can serve multiple functions in the healing process. Crusting helps to protect the underlying tissue from bacteria and further injury while retaining moisture within the wound environment, which is vital for healing. Understanding this is important for evaluating wound care and management, as the presence of crusting can provide insights into the effectiveness of the body's natural healing processes and the type of exudate being produced. Other options, while related to wound care and tissue assessment, do not accurately define crusting itself. Proliferating tissue refers to new tissue growth, generalized redness signifies inflammation, and nonviable tissue indicates necrosis, none of which specifically describe the crusted layer formed from dried exudate.