Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) Practice Exam

Which type of wound presentation is associated with foul smelling exudate?

1. Clean and dry wounds

2. Necrotic wounds

3. Infected wounds

4. Chronic non-healing wounds

The correct answer is: Infected wounds

Foul-smelling exudate is typically an indication of an infected wound. Infection can occur when bacteria proliferate in a wound, leading to the production of pus and other byproducts that release unpleasant odors. The presence of malodorous exudate signals to healthcare professionals that the wound is not healing properly and may require intervention, such as antibiotics or debridement, to address the underlying infection. In contrast, clean and dry wounds do not present with such characteristics, as they are typically well-managed and not exposed to pathogens. Necrotic wounds can have a characteristic odor due to dead tissue, but the foul smell is more indicative of infection than necrosis alone. Chronic non-healing wounds might also have a smell depending on various factors, but it is the active infection that most commonly correlates with foul exudate. Thus, when assessing a wound's characteristics, foul-smelling exudate should prompt consideration of potential infection, supporting the understanding that infected wounds are the primary presentation associated with this symptom.