CAP Pro Course - Microbiology - The Microbiology of Wounds (2026 & 2027)

Author: Hallee Waye, BS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Reviewer: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Identify the optimal specimen types to be submitted for assessment of various wound infections.
  • Define the appropriate methods for wound culture collection, and describe how the specimen type may impact the clinical relevance of the results.
  • Outline appropriate specimen processing and plating for wound culture specimens.
  • List the common pathogens isolated from wound cultures, and describe their Gram stain result and appearance on routine culture media.
  • Describe the different strategies for the evaluation and work up of wound cultures that provide effective and appropriate guidance for patient therapy.

Course Outline

  • Identify the optimal specimen types to be submitted for assessment of various wound infections.
      • Ideal Specimens Used to Diagnose Wound Infections
      • Types of Wound Specimens Submitted for Microbiological Processing
      • Descriptive Terms for Dermal and Epidermal Lesions and Infections
      • A patient presents to the emergency department complaining of debilitating pain in an abdominal surgical wound two days post-discharge. What type of w...
      • A 16-year-old patient presents to her physician complaining of lesions that are 8 mm in width, raised, and solid, but are causing no pain. What is the...
      • In which of the following circumstances should a wound culture specimen be obtained?
      • Which of the following sets of signs and symptoms supports the diagnosis of a bacterial infection?
  • Define the appropriate methods for wound culture collection, and describe how the specimen type may impact the clinical relevance of the results.
      • Essential Aspects of Wound Culture Collection
      • Collection Methods for Various Types of Wounds
      • Necrotizing Lesions: Definitions and Specimen Collection
      • Clinical Relevance of Results of Various Wound Cultures: Do's and Don'ts
      • In your role as a microbiologist, you are responsible for educating new health care professionals about specimen collection at your facility. Which of...
      • Which of the following is a key aspect of wound culture collection?
      • A specimen labeled as a decubitus ulcer from the buttocks of a nursing home patient is received in the microbiology department for aerobic and anaerob...
      • Which statement represents the best set of general guidelines for a wound specimen collection?
  • Outline appropriate specimen processing and plating for wound culture specimens.
      • Culture Requests Based on Wound Type
      • Processing and Media Selection: General Guidelines
      • Processing and Media Selection: Additional Information
      • Processing and Media Selection: Non-routine Requests
      • Specimen Processing: Tissue Samples
      • You receive a wound specimen in microbiology for an aerobic and anaerobic culture with a Gram stain. Upon review of the Gram stain, you observe a mode...
      • A wound specimen is submitted for an aerobic and anaerobic culture with a Gram stain. Upon review of the Gram stain, many PMNs and many gram-positive ...
      • Which of the following features is not characteristic of Bacillus anthracis?
      • In the laboratory, there are separate orders for aerobic and anaerobic cultures, with different charges. An aspirate labeled as a "deep wound" is rece...
      • A specimen labeled as "subcutaneous aspirate," with orders for an aerobic and anaerobic culture, is received in the laboratory. The normal plating pro...
  • List the common pathogens isolated from wound cultures, and describe their Gram stain result and appearance on routine culture media.
      • Common Organisms Causing Wound Infections
      • Common Aerobic Organisms Isolated from Wound Cultures
      • Common Anaerobic Organisms Isolated from Wound Cultures
      • Expected Gram Stains in Common Wound Infections
      • Expected Gram Stains in Common Wound Infections, continued
      • A 22-year-old male patient presents to the ED complaining of increasing pain, swelling, and redness in his left arm around his wrist. Upon discussion ...
      • A 48-year-old male patient presents to his physician with a soft tissue infection on his inner thigh. When a Gram stain is performed, the microbiologi...
      • A microbiologist is evaluating a Gram stain from a wound described as "left lower abdominal surgical site." 4+ polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are...
      • A "arm wound" specimen is submitted for anaerobic culture, and the specimen is processed according to the procedure. The Gram stain reveals the follow...
  • Describe the different strategies for the evaluation and work up of wound cultures that provide effective and appropriate guidance for patient therapy.
      • Overall Principles of Working up Wound/Abscess Cultures
      • Determining the Extent of Workup: Q Score
      • Determining the Extent of Workup Based on Number of Potential Pathogens in Culture
      • A sample is received in microbiology from the med/surg unit. The Gram stain is consistent with the image on the right. When the microbiologist reviews...
      • A wound culture has a Q score of two. Two distinct organisms are seen on the Gram stain, and two potential pathogens are growing on the culture plate....
      • Which of the following is not a primary consideration during a wound culture assessment?
      • What other factors should a wound culture workup consider, in addition to the Gram stain and whether the specimen is from a sterile or non-sterile sit...
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for MLS and MLT personnel, medical laboratory science students and interns, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Hallee Waye, BS, MLS(ASCP)CM, has over 10 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist. She has clinical experience in blood bank, microbiology, chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, and coagulation. She currently works as a clinical microbiologist and MLS Program Director for the Parkview School of Medical Laboratory Science in Pueblo, CO. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Colorado State University, attended the Colorado Center for Medical Laboratory Science to obtain her professional certificate in medical laboratory science, and completed her master’s degree in clinical laboratory science at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.

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