Infections and Tropical Infections

Infections in Surgery
First three MCQs are free to view. Click any option to see the correct answer and explanation instantly.

Infections in Surgery MCQs

Q1. A chronic wound is one that fails to heal more than:

  1. A. 2 weeks
  2. B. 3 weeks
  3. C. 4 weeks
  4. D. 6 weeks
Answer: B. 3 weeks

Chronic wounds are those that don’t heal within 3 weeks. After this time, the wound typically should have shown substantial healing (new tissue forming, wound edges closing). If it hasn’t, it’s considered chronic.

Why the other options are incorrect:
A. 2 weeks: Wounds that take 2 weeks to heal aren’t necessarily chronic.
C. 4 weeks: Wounds can be chronic by 4 weeks, but the standard definition starts at 3 weeks.
D. 6 weeks: Definitely chronic, but the threshold is earlier.

Take-home Message: A chronic wound fails to heal within 3 weeks, often due to infection, poor circulation, or systemic diseases.

Q2. Regarding Amoeboma, which statement is NOT correct?

  1. A) Most commonly seen in caecum
  2. B) It is granulomatous
  3. C) Altered bowel habits most common symptom
  4. D) Seen in long-standing infection which is intermittently treated
Answer: C) Altered bowel habits most common symptom

Amoeboma is a localized mass-like lesion resulting from intestinal amoebiasis, typically caused by *Entamoeba histolytica*. It can mimic a tumor and often occurs in the caecum.

Why the other options are correct:
A) Most commonly seen in caecum: Correct.
B) It is granulomatous: Correct.
D) Seen in long-standing infection which is intermittently treated: Correct.

Why option C is incorrect: Altered bowel habits are not the hallmark of amoebomas. The most common symptom is abdominal mass or pain.

Take-home Message: Amoebomas are granulomatous lesions caused by *E. histolytica*, most often in the caecum.

Q3. Surgical Site Infection (SSI) in a clean contaminated wound after prophylaxis is:

  1. A) 3%
  2. B) 7%
  3. C) 15%
  4. D) 25%
Answer: A) 3%

A clean-contaminated wound occurs when the surgical procedure involves opening a viscus organ (e.g., gastrointestinal or urinary tract). The SSI rate in these wounds is typically around 3% with prophylactic antibiotics.

Why the other options are incorrect:
B) 7%: Slightly higher than expected with prophylaxis.
C) 15% and D) 25%: These are seen in contaminated or dirty wounds.

Take-home Message: For a clean-contaminated wound, prophylactic antibiotics result in a 3% SSI rate.

Rest of the Questions & Explanations will be visible to Premium Members