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Cellulitis – Acute (P)
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Course Curriculum
1. What is the most common bacterial cause of acute cellulitis?
*
Escherichia coli
Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Clostridium perfringens
2. Which area of the body is most frequently affected by cellulitis?
*
Face
Hands
Legs
Abdomen
3. Which symptom most commonly accompanies cellulitis?
*
Fever and malaise
Chronic cough
Weight loss
Night sweats
4. What is a key clinical sign of cellulitis?
*
Dry flaky skin
Cool pale limb
Red, warm, swollen area with poorly defined borders
Painless vesicles
5. What antibiotic is typically used first-line for uncomplicated cellulitis in adults?
*
Erythromycin
Amoxicillin
Flucloxacillin
Co-amoxiclav
6. What is the usual duration of oral antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated cellulitis?
*
3 days
5–7 days
7–10 days
14 days
7. Which condition should be considered if the patient has bilateral leg redness?
*
Cellulitis
Venous eczema
Psoriasis
Lichen planus
8. What is erysipelas?
*
A viral infection of the lips
A deep fungal skin infection
A superficial form of cellulitis with raised, well-defined borders
An allergic skin reaction
9. What underlying condition increases the risk of cellulitis recurrence?
*
Asthma
Diabetes mellitus
Migraine
Glaucoma
10. What advice should be given for limb elevation in cellulitis?
*
Avoid elevating the limb
Only elevate during sleep
Elevate to reduce swelling and improve drainage
Keep the limb immobile at all times
11. Which sign suggests systemic involvement in cellulitis?
*
Localised itching only
Blistering without fever
Scab formation
Fever and rigors
12. When should IV antibiotics be considered in cellulitis?
*
If oral antibiotics fail or if severe systemic symptoms present
Always as first-line treatment
For all patients with redness
In children only
13. What is the role of drawing around the affected area in cellulitis?
*
To track any spread of infection
For dermatological diagnosis
To reduce inflammation
To prevent recurrence
14. Which co-existing condition may require MRSA coverage in cellulitis?
*
Asthma
Recurrent nosebleeds
Migraines
Chronic ulcers or previous MRSA colonisation
15. What is NOT a common differential diagnosis of cellulitis?
*
DVT
Venous eczema
Peripheral Oedema
Paraphimosis
16. What adjunctive therapy can help prevent recurrence of cellulitis in chronic lymphoedema?
*
Long-term antifungals
Compression therapy
Surgical drainage
Topical corticosteroids
17. Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom of cellulitis?
*
Warmth
Pain
Swelling
Itchy vesicles
18. Which of the following patients is at highest risk for developing cellulitis?
*
A healthy adult with normal skin
A pescetarian
A teenager with acne
A person with athlete’s foot and diabetes
19. Which investigation is helpful to exclude deep vein thrombosis in unilateral leg swelling?
*
X-ray
CT scan
MRI of spine
Doppler
20. What is the appropriate course of action for a patient with rapidly spreading cellulitis and hypotension?
*
Immediate hospital admission
Review in 48 hours
Immediate oral antibiotics
Topical fusidic acid and push fluids