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uncomplicated abscess — Medical Practice MCQ

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HardIDSA Skin & Soft Tissue Infectionsuncomplicated abscess

A 3-cm fluctuant skin abscess has no surrounding cellulitis, systemic inflammatory response or major immune compromise. What provides the essential source control?

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Correct answer: A — Incision and drainage of the abscess after susceptibility review

The best answer is “Incision and drainage of the abscess after susceptibility review”. A walled-off purulent collection requires drainage; antibiotics may be added for defined systemic or host-risk features but do not replace source control. “Oral antibiotics without drainage” is less appropriate because it does not satisfy the scenario's decisive clinical or jurisdictional requirement. “Topical antiseptic alone with no drainage” is less appropriate because it does not satisfy the scenario's decisive clinical or jurisdictional requirement. “Immediate intravenous vancomycin without drainage” is less appropriate because it does not satisfy the scenario's decisive clinical or jurisdictional requirement. “Observation alone despite a mature fluctuant collection” is less appropriate because it does not satisfy the scenario's decisive clinical or jurisdictional requirement.

Reference: UK MRSA treatment guideline: https://academic.oup.com/jacamr/article/3/1/dlaa114/6127118