Perioperative: timing of wound infection: practice question

A General Surgery 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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General Surgery · Perioperative: timing of wound infection

Sample item

A patient develops fever with a red, tender, discharging laparotomy wound. When do surgical site infections most typically declare themselves?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Postoperative days 5 to 7

Most superficial surgical site infections appear around the fifth to seventh day after surgery, whereas fever in the first 48 hours usually reflects the metabolic response or atelectasis. Treatment is opening the wound, drainage and antibiotics if there is cellulitis. Earlier fever with spreading infection suggests necrotising or streptococcal infection.

Option by option

  • A. After 6 months

    Late onset is uncommon except with implants.

  • B. Within the first 6 hours

    Bacterial infection rarely declares in the first hours.

  • C. Postoperative days 5 to 7 (correct)

    Correct. Day 5 to 7 is the typical window.

  • D. On postoperative day 1 only

    Day 1 fever is usually inflammatory or due to atelectasis.

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 General Surgery question

What is the answer to this General Surgery question?

The best answer is C, Postoperative days 5 to 7. Most superficial surgical site infections appear around the fifth to seventh day after surgery, whereas fever in the first 48 hours usually reflects the metabolic response or atelectasis.

Why is "After 6 months" not the answer?

Late onset is uncommon except with implants.

Why is "Within the first 6 hours" not the answer?

Bacterial infection rarely declares in the first hours.

Why is "On postoperative day 1 only" not the answer?

Day 1 fever is usually inflammatory or due to atelectasis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Perioperative: timing of wound infection in General Surgery. Treatment is opening the wound, drainage and antibiotics if there is cellulitis. Earlier fever with spreading infection suggests necrotising or streptococcal infection.

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 Perioperative: timing of wound infection?

Learn classic signs and eponyms alongside what they diagnose. Then use the flashcards and the other General Surgery 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.