Cellulitis Flashcards

1
Q

Cellulitis refers to an infection of the skin. Can this occur anywhere in the body?

A
  • yes
  • typically presents in the limbs though
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Cellulitis occurs when bacteria are able to penetrate the skin. In cellulitis, which layers of the skin are affected?

1 - epidermis (all cellular layers)
2 - dermis (hair follicles, nerve endings, glands, blood vessels and lymphatics)
3 - hypodermis (subcutaneous fat, connective tissue anchoring to basement membrane)
4 - all of the above

A

4 - all of the above

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Cellulitis is a very common presentation in acute medicine. What is the incidence of cellulitis?

1 - 15 / 100,000
2 - 150 / 100,000
3 - 1500 / 100,000
4 - 15,000 / 100,000

A

4 - 15,000 / 100,000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Cellulitis is a skin infection, typically caused by bacteria that affects all layers of the skin up to the deeper subcutaneous tissues. What age has a peak incidence of cellulitis?

1 - 20-30
2 - 30-50
3 - 40-60
4 - 50-60

A

4 - 50-60

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Cellulitis is a skin infection, typically caused by bacteria that affects all layers of the skin up to the deeper subcutaneous tissues. Are men or women more likely to develop cellulitis?

A
  • affects both equally
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Cellulitis is a skin infection, typically caused by bacteria that affects all layers of the skin up to the deeper subcutaneous tissues. Infection is typically caused by a break in the skin. All of the following are common risk factors, EXCEPT which one?

1 - previous surgery
2 - immunosuppressed
3 - atopic dermatitis (eczema), Athlete’s foot,
4 - lymphoedema
5 - history of cellulitis
6 - obesity

A

1 - previous surgery
- may cause a wound infection, typically caused by S. aureus, but not cellulitis

  • immunosuppression includes diabetes mellitus, HIV, immunosuppressive drugs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Although the exact pathophysiology of cellulitis is poorly understood, exotoxins (proteins secreted by bacteria) have been linked. All of the following can cause cellulitis, but which 2 are most common?

1 - Streptococcus pyogenes
2 - Staphylococcus aureus
3 - Vibrio vulnificus
4 - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

A

1 - Streptococcus pyogenes
2 - Staphylococcus aureus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When examining a patient with suspected cellulitis, are the borders of the infection typically well demarcated?

A
  • no
  • as the deeper dermis is affected, it can be difficult to identify the borders of infection
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which of the following is NOT a common clinical sign of cellulitis?

1 - fever and malaise (feeling crappy)
2 - cool to touch
3 - redness with swelling
4 - tenderness to touch
5 - sign of broken skin where infection began

A

2 - cool to touch
- typically presents with warmth to the touch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Does cellulitis typically present bilaterally?

A
  • no
  • presents unilaterally
  • if bilateral, this suggestion other diagnosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Does cellulitis typically present gradually or acutely?

A
  • presents acutely
  • if it presents gradually, this suggests a different diagnosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

When trying to identify if a patient has cellulitis, we can use history, examinations and investigations. Which of the following is NOT a typically differential for cellulitis?

1 - thrombophlebitis (inflammation causing blood clots to form in veins, mostly in the legs)
2 - DVT and PVD
3 - lymphoedema
4 - contact dermatitis (allergy)
5 - ingrown hair
6 - gout
7 - insect sting, cat scratch disease

A

5 - ingrown hair

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Diagnosis of cellulitis is typically a clinical diagnosis. However, all of the following can be useful, EXCEPT which one?

1 - LFTs
2 - U&Es (systemic inflammation may cause AKI)
3 - FBC (WBC may be raised)
4 - CRP and ESR

A

1 - LFTs
- wouldn’t hurt, but typically does not aid with the diagnosis

  • a swab and blood culture may be useful in some patients
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

In a patient with confirmed cellulitis, we would typically wash, clean, moisturise and dress infected area regularly. In addition to this patients would be prescribed oral (IV in severe cases) antibiotics. Which of the following class would be the 1st line treatment in cellulitis in a patient with NKDA?

1 - Glycopeptides
2 - Penicillins
3 - Cephalosporins
4 - Macrolids

A

2 - Penicillins
- Flucloxacillin 1st line

  • Cephalosporins are 1st line if patient has an allergy to penicillins
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

When treating a patient, is it important to draw around the borders of cellulitis, if this is possible?

A
  • yes
  • helps identify the response to treatment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

The severity of cellulitis can be graded using the Eron classification, which is graded from I to IV with increasing severity. At what severity should patients be admitted to hospital?

1 - IV
2 - III
3 - II
4 - I

A

3 - II
- typically reviewed , but >II

17
Q

Despite treating cellulitis, complications may occur. One of these is bacteraemia. Which one of the following matches the description of bacteraemia?

1 - bacteria from cellulitis has entered the blood stream
2 - abnormal system wide response to an infection that is a medical emergency
3 - infection of the endocardium surrounding the heart
4 - bone marrow become infected

A

1 - bacteria from cellulitis has entered the blood stream

18
Q

Despite treating cellulitis, complications may occur. One of these is osteomyelitis. Which one of the following matches the description of osteomyelitis?

1 - bacteria from cellulitis has entered the blood stream
2 - abnormal system wide response to an infection that is a medical emergency
3 - infection of the endocardium surrounding the heart
4 - bone marrow becomes inflamed due to infection

A

4 - bone marrow becomes inflamed due to infection

19
Q

Despite treating cellulitis, complications may occur. One of these is sepsis. Which one of the following matches the description of sepsis?

1 - bacteria from cellulitis has entered the blood stream
2 - abnormal system wide response to an infection that is a medical emergency
3 - infection of the endocardium surrounding the heart
4 - bone marrow becomes inflamed due to infection

A

2 - abnormal system wide response to an infection that is a medical emergency

20
Q

Despite treating cellulitis, complications may occur. One of these is infective endocarditis. Which one of the following matches the description of infective endocarditis?

1 - bacteria from cellulitis has entered the blood stream
2 - abnormal system wide response to an infection that is a medical emergency
3 - infection of the endocardium surrounding the heart
4 - bone marrow becomes inflamed due to infection

A

3 - infection of the endocardium surrounding the heart

21
Q

Despite treating cellulitis, complications may occur. One of these is necrotising fasciitis. Which one of the following matches the description of necrotising fasciitis?

1 - bacteria from cellulitis has entered the blood stream
2 - abnormal system wide response to an infection that is a medical emergency
3 - infection of the endocardium surrounding the heart
4 - infection causes necrosis of deep dermis, including subcutaneous fat and muscle

A

4 - infection causes necrosis of deep dermis, including subcutaneous fat and muscle

22
Q

Necrotising fasciitis is a complication that can be caused by cellulitis where the deep subcutaneous skin layers including muscle and fat are necrosed. Is this dangerous?

A
  • yes
  • can develop rapidly, cause limb loss, sepsis and death
  • typically affects the limbs
23
Q

Diabetic patients are at risk of recurrent cellulitis. Which of the following can be used to reduce the risk of recurrence?

1 - foot and leg checks
2 - correct footwear
3 - awareness of cellulitis
4 - all of the above

A

4 - all of the above