Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) Practice Exam

What type of gel therapy may benefit nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers with clean wound beds?

1. Antimicrobial gel

2. Becaplermin (Regranex)

3. Hydrogel

4. Alginate

The correct answer is: Becaplermin (Regranex)

Becaplermin (Regranex) is a growth factor gel specifically designed for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Its active ingredient is platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which plays a critical role in wound healing by promoting cell migration and proliferation, thus enhancing granulation tissue formation. In nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers, where the wound bed is clean but healing has stalled, Becaplermin can effectively stimulate the healing process by aiding in tissue repair and regeneration. This type of gel therapy is particularly valuable for chronic wounds often seen in diabetic patients, as it addresses the underlying cellular and molecular factors that may be hindering healing. It is typically applied directly to the ulcer and covered with a secondary dressing to maintain a moist wound environment, which is conducive to healing. While other types of gels, such as antimicrobial gels, hydrogel, or alginates, serve important roles in wound management, they do not have the specific mechanism of action that directly promotes the healing of nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers as effectively as Becaplermin does. For instance, antimicrobial gels focus on controlling infection, hydrogels provide moisture, and alginates are often used in exudative wounds, but they do not possess the growth factors necessary to significantly enhance