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

What type of tissue is least likely to benefit from HBOT?

1. Necrotic tissue

2. Gangrenous tissue

3. Vascularized tissue

4. Infected tissue

The correct answer is: Gangrenous tissue

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that enhances oxygen availability to tissues by delivering oxygen in a pressurized environment. It is particularly effective in promoting healing in various types of compromised or damaged tissues. Vascularized tissue has a rich blood supply, which helps deliver oxygen naturally through the bloodstream. Therefore, these tissues can typically benefit from the normal physiological processes of oxygen transport and do not rely as heavily on supplemental oxygen provided by HBOT. This makes vascularized tissue the type least likely to see significant benefits from HBOT, as they already have adequate oxygenation compared to necrotic, gangrenous, or infected tissues. Necrotic and infected tissues will benefit from the increased oxygen delivery provided by HBOT, as this therapy can help reduce infection and promote healing in areas that lack sufficient blood flow or oxygen. Gangrenous tissue also falls into this category, as HBOT can help to promote recovery in areas affected by necrosis and severe oxygen deprivation. Thus, the correct response identifies vascularized tissue as the least likely to benefit from HBOT due to its existing and sufficient blood supply that delivers oxygen naturally.