Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: Fournier gangrene: 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.

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Dermatology · Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: Fournier gangrene

Sample item

A diabetic man has severe scrotal pain, fever and hypotension. The scrotal skin is dusky with crepitus and foul-smelling discharge. What is the immediate treatment priority?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Urgent surgical debridement with broad-spectrum antibiotics

Fournier gangrene is a necrotising fasciitis of the genital and perineal region, often in diabetics. Treatment is emergency surgical debridement with broad-spectrum antibiotics covering aerobes and anaerobes, with resuscitation.

Option by option

  • A. Scrotal elevation and analgesia only

    Elevation and analgesia alone would allow the infection to spread.

  • B. Oral antibiotics and review in 48 hours

    Oral antibiotics are inadequate and delay lifesaving surgery.

  • C. Topical antifungal and sitz baths

    Antifungal therapy does not treat a necrotising bacterial infection.

  • D. Urgent surgical debridement with broad-spectrum antibiotics (correct)

    Correct. Necrotising infection needs urgent debridement and broad antibiotics.

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 D, Urgent surgical debridement with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Fournier gangrene is a necrotising fasciitis of the genital and perineal region, often in diabetics.

Why is "Scrotal elevation and analgesia only" not the answer?

Elevation and analgesia alone would allow the infection to spread.

Why is "Oral antibiotics and review in 48 hours" not the answer?

Oral antibiotics are inadequate and delay lifesaving surgery.

Why is "Topical antifungal and sitz baths" not the answer?

Antifungal therapy does not treat a necrotising bacterial infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: Fournier gangrene in Dermatology. Treatment is emergency surgical debridement with broad-spectrum antibiotics covering aerobes and anaerobes, with resuscitation.

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 Infections: bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic: Fournier gangrene?

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.