The wound bed of arterial ulcers is characterized by which finding?

The wound bed of arterial ulcers is characterized by which finding?

• A. Eschar or slough present in arterial ulcers
• B. Minimal exudate
• C. Cramping pain
• D. Narrow passageway

Answer: (A)

Arterial ulcers arise from reduced arterial blood flow, so the wound environment tends to be dry with poor healing. The wound bed commonly contains necrotic tissue, which appears as eschar (dry, hard, often dark tissue) or slough (necrotic tissue that can be moist). This necrosis reflects the lack of perfusion and impaired tissue viability characteristic of ischemic wounds. While these wounds may have minimal drainage, the defining feature in the wound bed is the presence of necrotic tissue. The other options describe symptoms or features not specific to the wound bed itself—cramping pain is more about ischemia symptoms, a narrow passageway isn’t related to wound bed characteristics, and minimal exudate alone isn’t as diagnostic as necrotic tissue within the wound.

Arterial ulcers arise from reduced arterial blood flow, so the wound environment tends to be dry with poor healing. The wound bed commonly contains necrotic tissue, which appears as eschar (dry, hard, often dark tissue) or slough (necrotic tissue that can be moist). This necrosis reflects the lack of perfusion and impaired tissue viability characteristic of ischemic wounds. While these wounds may have minimal drainage, the defining feature in the wound bed is the presence of necrotic tissue. The other options describe symptoms or features not specific to the wound bed itself—cramping pain is more about ischemia symptoms, a narrow passageway isn’t related to wound bed characteristics, and minimal exudate alone isn’t as diagnostic as necrotic tissue within the wound.