NR546 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE FOR
NURSING EXAM 2025|QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS |GUARANTEED PASS
1
What is an abscess?
pocket
contained
has fluid, inflammatory cells, could have bacteria
2
Describe the main types of skin abscesses
• In dermis and deeper structures, painful red nodule with erythema;
furuncles (boils) in hair follicle, inflammatory nodule with overlying
pustule collection in dermis and deeper structures; carbuncles
includes collection of furuncles
• Most commonly back in neck, face, axillae
3
What is the most common pathogen of Skin Abscesses?
S. aureus (75% of cases)
4
,What is the approach for treatment of a skin abscess?
1) Drainage +/- moist heat compresses x 30 min, 3-4 x daily for small
lesions or surgical incision and drainage for larger lesions
2) Antimicrobial therapy for abscesses > 2 cm, multiple lesions,
extensive cellulitis, systemic signs of infection, indwelling medical
device or immunocompromised
5
What are systemic signs of infection?
temp > 38, tachypnea > 24/min, tachycardia > 90/min, WBC > 12000
or < 4000
6
What are the 2 antibiotics for 1st line therapy for Skin Abscesses ?
Cloxacillin Cephalexin
7
What is 2nd line therapy for Skin Abscesses if they have a severe B
lactam allergy?
Clindamycin
8
, List 2 important points about Clindamycin
# 1 antibiotic associated with C. dif
- We are seeing increasing resistance in S. aureus
9
What would indicate a severe B lactam allergy?
anaphylaxis
severe rash
hives
angioedema (swelling of tongue, lips, face)
10
What are the risk factors for skin abscesses being MRSA?
MRSA colonization
close contact with MRSA infection
previous antimicrobials or S. aureus infection particularly if
treatment failure with regimen that lacked MRSA coverage
11
When is CA-MRSA prevalent?
CA-MRSA contagion among close contacts in sites such as childcare
centres and athletic facilities.
NURSING EXAM 2025|QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS |GUARANTEED PASS
1
What is an abscess?
contained
has fluid, inflammatory cells, could have bacteria
2
Describe the main types of skin abscesses
• In dermis and deeper structures, painful red nodule with erythema;
furuncles (boils) in hair follicle, inflammatory nodule with overlying
pustule collection in dermis and deeper structures; carbuncles
includes collection of furuncles
• Most commonly back in neck, face, axillae
3
What is the most common pathogen of Skin Abscesses?
S. aureus (75% of cases)
4
,What is the approach for treatment of a skin abscess?
1) Drainage +/- moist heat compresses x 30 min, 3-4 x daily for small
lesions or surgical incision and drainage for larger lesions
2) Antimicrobial therapy for abscesses > 2 cm, multiple lesions,
extensive cellulitis, systemic signs of infection, indwelling medical
device or immunocompromised
5
What are systemic signs of infection?
temp > 38, tachypnea > 24/min, tachycardia > 90/min, WBC > 12000
or < 4000
6
What are the 2 antibiotics for 1st line therapy for Skin Abscesses ?
Cloxacillin Cephalexin
7
What is 2nd line therapy for Skin Abscesses if they have a severe B
lactam allergy?
Clindamycin
8
, List 2 important points about Clindamycin
# 1 antibiotic associated with C. dif
- We are seeing increasing resistance in S. aureus
9
What would indicate a severe B lactam allergy?
anaphylaxis
severe rash
hives
angioedema (swelling of tongue, lips, face)
10
What are the risk factors for skin abscesses being MRSA?
MRSA colonization
close contact with MRSA infection
previous antimicrobials or S. aureus infection particularly if
treatment failure with regimen that lacked MRSA coverage
11
When is CA-MRSA prevalent?
CA-MRSA contagion among close contacts in sites such as childcare
centres and athletic facilities.
