Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) Practice Test 2026 – All-in-One Study Guide to Achieve Exam Success!

The key benefit of medical honey in wound care is its ability to reduce the bacterial count. Medical honey, particularly Manuka honey, has inherent antibacterial properties due to its high sugar content and the presence of methylglyoxal and hydrogen peroxide. When applied to a wound, medical honey creates an osmotic effect that draws excess fluid away from the wound, which helps to reduce edema and creates an unfavorable environment for bacterial growth. This antibacterial action not only helps to lower the risk of infection but also contributes to creating an optimal healing environment.

In contrast to this benefit, increasing wound moisture is important for healing, but this attribute is not specific to medical honey as it does not inherently increase moisture in the same way that other wound care products might. Additionally, promoting necrotic tissue formation and preventing granulation tissue are undesirable effects in wound healing, as the goal is to support the body’s natural healing processes. Hence, medical honey's role in effectively reducing bacterial load is a significant and beneficial aspect of its use in wound management.