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

What is considered critical colonization in a wound?

1. Less than 10^4 org/ml

2. More than 10^5 org/ml

3. Less than 10^5 org/ml with impaired healing

4. No presence of bacteria

The correct answer is: Less than 10^5 org/ml with impaired healing

Critical colonization in a wound is a state where the presence of microorganisms reaches a level that can disrupt the healing process, even if there are no clinical signs of infection present. The key aspect of choice C is that it indicates a bacterial count of less than 10^5 organisms per milliliter while also noting the presence of impaired healing. This means that even at levels below what is typically considered "infectious," the bacteria can still have a negative impact on the wound's ability to heal due to factors such as a patient's overall health, presence of underlying conditions, or other local wound factors. Understanding this concept is vital for effective wound management, as it emphasizes the need to assess not just the bacterial load but also the patient's response and healing progression. The presence of impaired healing suggests that the bacterial load, though below the threshold for infection, is significant enough to warrant attention and intervention to optimize healing outcomes.