Page Contents
OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose topic is necrotizing fasciitis. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how necrotizing fasciitis will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a traditional question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a topic is quite valuable.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)
When it comes to standardized exams, each topic has its own “code” marked by key buzzwords, lab findings, clues, etc. If you are well versed in this code you will be able to more quickly identify the condition that is being discussed, and get the right answer on the exam you are taking. Below is the “code” for necrotizing fasciitis.
- Recent history of trauma: often minor (penetrating injury etc)
- Erythema of skin accompanied by selling and edema
- Pain out of proportion to the physical exam findings
- Fever and hypotension can be noticed on the patient’s vitals.
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
Explanation # 1
Question # 2
Explanation # 2
TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)
Many questions on standardized exams go beyond simply recognizing the underlying topic. Often there are specific testable facts regarding some aspect of the topic’s pathophysiology/management/clinical implications that are commonly asked. Some of these are listed below:
- Causal pathogens:
- Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci)
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Clostridium perfringens
- Polymicrobial
- Treatment:
- Surgical debridement of the affected area
- Broad spectrum antibiotics
Page Updated: 05.03.2017