Bone infection: injection drug users: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Bone infection: injection drug users

Sample item

A man who injects drugs has fever and pain at the sternoclavicular joint. Which organism is particularly associated with bone and joint infection at unusual sites in this group?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Intravenous drug users are prone to infection of the axial joints, including sternoclavicular, sacroiliac and pubic symphysis, with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas is the characteristic gram-negative organism.

Option by option

  • A. Mycoplasma pneumoniae

    Mycoplasma is not typical.

  • B. Haemophilus influenzae type b

    Hib is a paediatric pathogen.

  • C. Streptococcus viridans

    Viridans streptococci are usually involved in endocarditis.

  • D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (correct)

    Correct. Pseudomonas is characteristic in this setting.

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 Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Intravenous drug users are prone to infection of the axial joints, including sternoclavicular, sacroiliac and pubic symphysis, with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Why is "Mycoplasma pneumoniae" not the answer?

Mycoplasma is not typical.

Why is "Haemophilus influenzae type b" not the answer?

Hib is a paediatric pathogen.

Why is "Streptococcus viridans" not the answer?

Viridans streptococci are usually involved in endocarditis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone infection: injection drug users in Orthopaedics. Pseudomonas is the characteristic gram-negative organism.

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 Bone infection: injection drug users?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.