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

Under what circumstances should an aerobic culture be obtained?

1. For wounds with necrosis

2. For shallow wounds without tunneling or necrosis

3. For deep wounds with sinus tracts

4. For wounds exhibiting crepitus

The correct answer is: For shallow wounds without tunneling or necrosis

An aerobic culture is typically obtained from shallow wounds without tunneling or necrosis because these types of wounds are more likely to have surface flora that can be identified through aerobic culture methods. Shallow wounds present with minimal tissue disruption, making them suitable for aerobic culturing, as the surface bacteria are likely to be the primary organisms contributing to the wound's clinical presentation. Obtaining an aerobic culture in shallow wounds allows for an understanding of the bacterial population present, which is essential for guiding appropriate wound care and antibiotic therapy. This option reflects the practical application of culturing in a setting where the expected pathogens are predominantly aerobes that reside on the wound surface. In contrast, wounds with necrosis, deep wounds with sinus tracts, and wounds exhibiting crepitus may require different culturing techniques, such as anaerobic cultures or other specialized testing, to adequately capture the full spectrum of microbial life, particularly if anaerobic bacteria are suspected.