Postpartum haemorrhage and emergencies: management of breast abscess: practice question

A OBG 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.

Try it

OBG · Postpartum haemorrhage and emergencies: management of breast abscess

Sample item

Three weeks after delivery, a woman has fever and a tender fluctuant breast lump despite five days of antibiotics for mastitis. Ultrasound shows a 4 cm collection. What is the best management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration with antibiotics, continuing breastfeeding

A lactational breast abscess is drained, preferably by repeated ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, with antibiotics active against Staphylococcus aureus. Breastfeeding or milk expression from the affected breast should continue, since milk stasis worsens the problem.

Option by option

  • A. Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration with antibiotics, continuing breastfeeding (correct)

    Correct. Aspiration drains pus and continued emptying of the breast aids resolution.

  • B. Immediate mastectomy

    Mastectomy is grossly excessive for a lactational abscess.

  • C. Stopping breastfeeding and suppressing lactation with cabergoline

    Stopping lactation is not required and stasis can aggravate the abscess.

  • D. Continuing antibiotics alone until the abscess ruptures

    Antibiotics alone rarely cure an established collection.

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 OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is A, Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration with antibiotics, continuing breastfeeding. A lactational breast abscess is drained, preferably by repeated ultrasound-guided needle aspiration, with antibiotics active against Staphylococcus aureus.

Why is "Immediate mastectomy" not the answer?

Mastectomy is grossly excessive for a lactational abscess.

Why is "Stopping breastfeeding and suppressing lactation with cabergoline" not the answer?

Stopping lactation is not required and stasis can aggravate the abscess.

Why is "Continuing antibiotics alone until the abscess ruptures" not the answer?

Antibiotics alone rarely cure an established collection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Postpartum haemorrhage and emergencies: management of breast abscess in OBG. Breastfeeding or milk expression from the affected breast should continue, since milk stasis worsens the problem.

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 Postpartum haemorrhage and emergencies: management of breast abscess?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.