Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

In what situation should an aerobic culture be obtained?

1. For deep wounds with tissue damage

2. For shallow wounds without tunneling

3. When there is a lot of eschar

4. When there is foul-smelling drainage

The correct answer is: For shallow wounds without tunneling

An aerobic culture is most appropriately obtained from shallow wounds without tunneling because these types of wounds are generally less complex and may not retain bacteria deep within layers of tissue or drainage. Shallow wounds are typically more accessible for sampling and the aerobic culture can capture the bacteria that are present on the surface and in the superficial tissue, which is the primary area of interest for aerobic bacterial growth. This allows for an accurate assessment of bacterial colonization or infection in a wound that is open to the atmosphere, where aerobic organisms are likely to proliferate. In contrast, deep wounds with tissue damage may require a more comprehensive approach, potentially involving anaerobic cultures as anaerobic bacteria thrive in deeper, more oxygen-deprived environments. Similarly, wounds with a significant amount of eschar or foul-smelling drainage could indicate the presence of mixed flora, including anaerobic bacteria, which could lead to a need for both aerobic and anaerobic cultures for a complete microbial assessment. Therefore, obtaining an aerobic culture from a shallow wound that does not have tunneling is ideal for understanding the superficial microbial population and potential infection.