Bacterial infections: recurrent 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.

Try it

Dermatology · Bacterial infections: recurrent cellulitis

Sample item

A man has had three episodes of cellulitis of the same leg in one year, with chronic lymphoedema and tinea pedis. Which measure reduces recurrence?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Treating tinea pedis and lymphoedema, with penicillin prophylaxis

Cellulitis recurs through portals of entry such as fissured tinea pedis and impaired lymphatic drainage. Treating these factors, compression therapy, and long-term low-dose penicillin (such as monthly benzathine penicillin) lower recurrence.

Option by option

  • A. Annual antifungal injection

    There is no annual antifungal injection for this purpose.

  • B. Avoiding all compression stockings

    Compression is useful for lymphoedema and venous disease.

  • C. Treating tinea pedis and lymphoedema, with penicillin prophylaxis (correct)

    Correct. Removing predisposing factors and using prophylaxis reduce recurrence.

  • D. Long-term oral steroids

    Steroids impair host defence.

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 C, Treating tinea pedis and lymphoedema, with penicillin prophylaxis. Cellulitis recurs through portals of entry such as fissured tinea pedis and impaired lymphatic drainage.

Why is "Annual antifungal injection" not the answer?

There is no annual antifungal injection for this purpose.

Why is "Avoiding all compression stockings" not the answer?

Compression is useful for lymphoedema and venous disease.

Why is "Long-term oral steroids" not the answer?

Steroids impair host defence.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacterial infections: recurrent cellulitis in Dermatology. Treating these factors, compression therapy, and long-term low-dose penicillin (such as monthly benzathine penicillin) lower recurrence.

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 infections: recurrent 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.