Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) Practice Exam

Which therapy is recognized as effective in disrupting biofilm in wound care?

1. Oral antibiotics

2. Low-frequency ultrasound

3. Moist gauze dressings

4. Hydrogel applications

The correct answer is: Low-frequency ultrasound

Low-frequency ultrasound is recognized as an effective therapy for disrupting biofilm in wound care due to its ability to create acoustic cavitation. This process generates microscopic bubbles that can collapse and create shock waves, effectively dislodging and disrupting biofilm structures that commonly protect bacteria from the immune system and antibiotic treatments. Biofilms are notoriously difficult to treat because they provide a protective environment for bacteria, allowing them to persist and complicate wound healing. In contrast, oral antibiotics may have limited efficacy against biofilms since they often cannot penetrate the protective layers that biofilms form. Moist gauze dressings primarily serve to maintain a moist environment for wound healing, which is important but not specifically aimed at biofilm reduction. Hydrogel applications can provide moisture and create a conducive healing environment, but they do not directly target biofilms in the same way that low-frequency ultrasound does. Therefore, low-frequency ultrasound stands out as a specialized and effective intervention for managing biofilm in wound care settings.