Bacterial skin infection: cellulitis: 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 · Bacterial skin infection: cellulitis

Sample item

A patient has a warm, tender, expanding erythematous lower leg with fever but no sharply raised border. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Cellulitis

Cellulitis is infection of deeper dermis and subcutaneous tissue, causing diffuse warmth, tenderness, and expanding erythema. Erysipelas is more superficial and often has a sharply demarcated raised edge.

Option by option

  • A. Cellulitis (correct)

    Correct. Diffuse tender spreading erythema fits cellulitis.

  • B. Erysipelas

    Erysipelas is usually more sharply demarcated and raised.

  • C. Urticaria

    Urticaria produces transient itchy wheals.

  • D. Venous eczema

    Venous eczema is chronic, itchy, and associated with edema and hemosiderin change.

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.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Cellulitis. Cellulitis is infection of deeper dermis and subcutaneous tissue, causing diffuse warmth, tenderness, and expanding erythema.

Why is "Erysipelas" not the answer?

Erysipelas is usually more sharply demarcated and raised.

Why is "Urticaria" not the answer?

Urticaria produces transient itchy wheals.

Why is "Venous eczema" not the answer?

Venous eczema is chronic, itchy, and associated with edema and hemosiderin change.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacterial skin infection: cellulitis in Dermatology. Erysipelas is more superficial and often has a sharply demarcated raised edge.

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 Bacterial skin infection: cellulitis?

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.