Preparing for the WCC (Wound Care Certified) exam? Pharmacology is one of the areas our deck drills hardest: 50 of its 1000 flashcards focus on pharmacology, covering topics like Santyl, MGH, Medical Grade Honey. Try the sample questions below — every card is a real question-and-answer pair from the full deck.
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How does collagenase (Santyl) selectively debride necrotic tissue without damaging healthy granulation tissue in a chronic wound?
Show answer →Collagenase is an exogenous enzyme that specifically targets and degrades undenatured collagen that anchors necrotic debris to the wound bed. It does not affect viable collagen in healthy tissue. NAWCO Tip: Remember it works from the bottom up by severing the attachment site of the slough/eschar. It is the only FDA-approved enzymatic debrider currently on the market.
Silver dressings release silver ions (Ag+). What are the three primary mechanisms by which these ions exert bactericidal effects on pathogens?
Show answer →1. Cell Wall Disruption: Ag+ binds to proteins in the cell wall/membrane, causing leakage and lysis. 2. Metabolic Interference: Ag+ binds to bacterial enzymes, disrupting the respiratory chain and ATP production. 3. DNA Inhibition: Ag+ binds to bacterial DNA/RNA, preventing replication. Exam Tip: NAWCO emphasizes that Ag+ is the ONLY active antimicrobial form; metallic silver (Ag0) must be oxidized to Ag+ via wound moisture to be effective.
What is the primary mechanism by which cadexomer iodine beads manage highly exudative wounds with suspected biofilm?
Show answer →Cadexomer iodine beads are hydrophilic starch lattices. They absorb wound exudate, causing beads to swell and slowly release 0.9% elemental iodine. This provides sustained-release antimicrobial action while physically trapping bacteria and debris. Unlike povidone-iodine, it maintains non-toxic levels over time. Exam Tip: NAWCO emphasizes its dual action of absorption and antimicrobial delivery.
How does the high sugar content of Medical Grade Honey (MGH) contribute to the reduction of edema and bacterial load in a sloughy venous leg ulcer?
Show answer →MGH creates high osmotic pressure (hyperosmolarity) that draws fluid from the wound bed and bacterial cells. This osmotic pull dehydrates bacteria, inhibiting their growth, and reduces local edema by moving interstitial fluid into the dressing. Rationale: High sugar content (approx. 80%) reduces water activity (aw), making it unavailable for microbial metabolism. Exam Tip: NAWCO often tests the pull mechanism as a method of autolytic debridement support.
A clinician selects a PHMB-impregnated gauze for a post-operative incision. What is the primary mechanism of action by which PHMB exerts its antimicrobial effect while maintaining low tissue toxicity?
Show answer →PHMB (Polyhexamethylene Biguanide) is a synthetic polymer that mimics antimicrobial peptides. It binds to bacterial cell membranes, causing loss of integrity, leakage of cytoplasmic contents, and cell death. Unlike older antiseptics, PHMB has high affinity for bacterial phospholipids but low affinity for neutral mammalian cell membranes, resulting in low cytotoxicity. Exam Strategy: NAWCO emphasizes that PHMB is effective against MRSA and VRE and is often preferred for long-term use over more cytotoxic agents like hydrogen peroxide or povidone-iodine. It is considered resistance-neutral as of 2026 standards.
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1,000 WCC question-and-answer cards across 9 topics, written for this exam. Refund policy.
The full WCC deck contains 1000 flashcards, and 50 of them focus on pharmacology. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our WCC deck dedicates 50 of 1000 cards (5%) to pharmacology — always cross-check the official NAWCO exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the WCC preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1000 cards is a one-time $7.
Assessment
170 cards
Diagnostics
160 cards
Legal
50 cards
Management
250 cards
Pathology
130 cards
Physiology
70 cards
Procedures
90 cards
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