STI: Bartholin abscess: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · STI: Bartholin abscess

Sample item

A woman has a tender, fluctuant swelling at the 5 o'clock position of the vaginal introitus and fever. What is the most appropriate treatment?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Incision and drainage with Word catheter placement or marsupialisation

A Bartholin abscess is treated by drainage with a Word catheter or by marsupialisation to prevent recurrence, with antibiotics if there is cellulitis. Culture should include Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia, though the infection is often polymicrobial. Simple needle aspiration or incision without a drain recurs frequently.

Option by option

  • A. Oral fluconazole

    Fluconazole does not treat a bacterial abscess.

  • B. Incision and drainage with Word catheter placement or marsupialisation (correct)

    Correct. Drainage with a catheter or marsupialisation is standard.

  • C. Observation only

    Observation of a painful abscess is inappropriate.

  • D. Cryotherapy

    Cryotherapy treats warts.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is B, Incision and drainage with Word catheter placement or marsupialisation. A Bartholin abscess is treated by drainage with a Word catheter or by marsupialisation to prevent recurrence, with antibiotics if there is cellulitis.

Why is "Oral fluconazole" not the answer?

Fluconazole does not treat a bacterial abscess.

Why is "Observation only" not the answer?

Observation of a painful abscess is inappropriate.

Why is "Cryotherapy" not the answer?

Cryotherapy treats warts.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: Bartholin abscess in Dermatology. Culture should include Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia, though the infection is often polymicrobial. Simple needle aspiration or incision without a drain recurs frequently.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study STI: Bartholin abscess?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.