Corneal ulcer: bacterial: practice question

A Ophthalmology 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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Ophthalmology · Corneal ulcer: bacterial

Sample item

A contact lens wearer has a rapidly spreading ulcer with greenish mucopurulent discharge and a ring infiltrate. Which organism is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas produces a rapidly progressing liquefactive necrosis with a greenish discharge, especially in lens wearers. Treatment is intensive topical fluoroquinolone or fortified aminoglycoside.

Option by option

  • A. Candida albicans

    Candida produces a dry slough with satellite lesions.

  • B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (correct)

    Correct. This picture is typical of Pseudomonas keratitis.

  • C. Streptococcus pneumoniae

    Pneumococcus gives a serpiginous ulcer in dacryocystitis, usually in trauma or lacrimal disease.

  • D. Herpes simplex virus

    Herpes gives a dendritic ulcer.

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 Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is B, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas produces a rapidly progressing liquefactive necrosis with a greenish discharge, especially in lens wearers.

Why is "Candida albicans" not the answer?

Candida produces a dry slough with satellite lesions.

Why is "Streptococcus pneumoniae" not the answer?

Pneumococcus gives a serpiginous ulcer in dacryocystitis, usually in trauma or lacrimal disease.

Why is "Herpes simplex virus" not the answer?

Herpes gives a dendritic ulcer.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Corneal ulcer: bacterial in Ophthalmology. Treatment is intensive topical fluoroquinolone or fortified aminoglycoside.

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 Corneal ulcer: bacterial?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology 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.