Septic arthritis MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: September 28, 2024

What is the most common causative organism of septic arthritis in adults? A) Staphylococcus aureus B) Streptococcus pneumoniae C) Neisseria gonorrhoeae D) Escherichia coli Answer: A) Staphylococcus aureus Which joint is most commonly affected by septic arthritis? A) Hip B) Shoulder C) Knee D) Ankle Answer: C) Knee What is a classic symptom of septic arthritis? A) Asymptomatic B) Joint stiffness C) Sudden onset of joint pain and swelling D) Gradual joint pain Answer: C) Sudden onset of joint pain and swelling Which of the following is a key diagnostic tool for septic arthritis? A) MRI B) Ultrasound C) Joint aspiration D) Bone biopsy Answer: C) Joint aspiration What does a synovial fluid analysis in septic arthritis typically show? A) Clear and viscous fluid B) Cloudy fluid with elevated white blood cells C) Normal fluid D) Thick and gelatinous fluid Answer: B) Cloudy fluid with elevated white blood cells What is the primary treatment for septic arthritis? A) Oral antibiotics B) Intravenous antibiotics and joint drainage C) Rest and immobilization D) Steroid injections Answer: B) Intravenous antibiotics and joint drainage In which population is septic arthritis most common? A) Infants B) Elderly C) Middle-aged adults D) Athletes Answer: B) Elderly Which laboratory test is most indicative of infection in septic arthritis? A) Complete blood count (CBC) B) C-reactive protein (CRP) C) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) D) Blood cultures Answer: D) Blood cultures What is the typical white blood cell count in synovial fluid for septic arthritis? A) <2,000 cells/mm³ B) 2,000-10,000 cells/mm³ C) >50,000 cells/mm³ D) >100,000 cells/mm³ Answer: C) >50,000 cells/mm³ Which condition increases the risk of developing septic arthritis? A) Good nutrition B) Previous joint surgery C) Regular exercise D) Adequate hydration Answer: B) Previous joint surgery What is the most common complication of untreated septic arthritis? A) Osteoarthritis B) Joint destruction C) Muscle atrophy D) Osteoporosis Answer: B) Joint destruction Which type of arthritis is characterized by a sudden onset and severe joint pain? A) Osteoarthritis B) Rheumatoid arthritis C) Septic arthritis D) Gout Answer: C) Septic arthritis What is a risk factor for developing septic arthritis in drug users? A) Use of clean needles B) Use of multiple drugs C) Poor hygiene D) All of the above Answer: C) Poor hygiene Which of the following is NOT a typical sign of septic arthritis? A) Swelling B) Fever C) Warmth over the joint D) Cold sensation Answer: D) Cold sensation What is the initial management step for a patient with suspected septic arthritis? A) MRI B) Blood test C) Joint aspiration D) Pain medication Answer: C) Joint aspiration What role do antibiotics play in the treatment of septic arthritis? A) They are not effective B) They reduce inflammation only C) They help eliminate the infection D) They provide pain relief Answer: C) They help eliminate the infection What type of bacteria is commonly associated with sexually transmitted infections causing septic arthritis? A) Escherichia coli B) Neisseria gonorrhoeae C) Staphylococcus epidermidis D) Streptococcus pyogenes Answer: B) Neisseria gonorrhoeae Which of the following is a common laboratory finding in septic arthritis? A) Decreased white blood cell count B) Elevated white blood cell count C) Normal white blood cell count D) Elevated platelet count Answer: B) Elevated white blood cell count What imaging study can help detect joint effusion in septic arthritis? A) X-ray B) CT scan C) MRI D) Ultrasound Answer: D) Ultrasound What is a common cause of septic arthritis in patients with chronic diseases? A) Viral infections B) Bacterial infections C) Fungal infections D) Autoimmune disorders Answer: B) Bacterial infections In a patient with septic arthritis, what is the most appropriate course of action if the joint fluid is purulent? A) Observation B) Immediate surgical intervention C) Oral antibiotics D) Ice application Answer: B) Immediate surgical intervention What is the typical duration of antibiotic therapy for septic arthritis? A) 3-5 days B) 7-10 days C) 2-4 weeks D) 4-6 weeks Answer: C) 2-4 weeks Which type of arthritis can develop as a result of a joint infection from osteomyelitis? A) Gout B) Septic arthritis C) Rheumatoid arthritis D) Psoriatic arthritis Answer: B) Septic arthritis What is the significance of early intervention in septic arthritis? A) It has no effect on the outcome B) It can prevent joint damage and improve recovery C) It is less effective than delayed intervention D) It only helps reduce pain Answer: B) It can prevent joint damage and improve recovery In a patient with septic arthritis, what symptom suggests a potential complication? A) Increased mobility B) Persistent fever C) Reduced joint swelling D) Decreased pain Answer: B) Persistent fever What can be a source of infection leading to septic arthritis? A) Urinary tract infection B) Skin infection C) Bloodstream infection D) All of the above Answer: D) All of the above What is the most common method to confirm the diagnosis of septic arthritis? A) X-ray findings B) MRI results C) Joint aspiration and fluid analysis D) Blood tests Answer: C) Joint aspiration and fluid analysis Which patient group is at higher risk for developing septic arthritis due to compromised immune systems? A) Young athletes B) Individuals with diabetes C) Pregnant women D) Healthy adults Answer: B) Individuals with diabetes What is the expected synovial fluid color in cases of septic arthritis? A) Clear B) Straw-colored C) Cloudy or purulent D) Red Answer: C) Cloudy or purulent What complication can arise from delayed treatment of septic arthritis? A) Improved joint function B) Chronic pain and disability C) Complete recovery without intervention D) Increased joint flexibility Answer: B) Chronic pain and disability What is the best initial imaging study for a patient suspected of having septic arthritis? A) MRI B) X-ray C) Ultrasound D) CT scan Answer: B) X-ray What laboratory finding is often elevated in patients with septic arthritis? A) Hemoglobin B) Platelets C) C-reactive protein (CRP) D) Creatinine Answer: C) C-reactive protein (CRP) Which symptom is NOT typical of septic arthritis? A) Severe joint pain B) Joint instability C) Fever D) Constant fatigue Answer: B) Joint instability What is the most appropriate management for a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of septic arthritis? A) Observation B) Antibiotics and surgical intervention if needed C) Rest and analgesics only D) Joint injections with corticosteroids Answer: B) Antibiotics and surgical intervention if needed Which risk factor is associated with increased incidence of septic arthritis? A) Regular exercise B) Immunosuppression C) Balanced diet D) Good hydration Answer: B) Immunosuppression What is the typical onset pattern for septic arthritis? A) Gradual onset over weeks B) Sudden onset C) Chronic with intermittent flare-ups D) Constant mild pain Answer: B) Sudden onset What is the preferred method for confirming the causative organism in septic arthritis? A) Blood cultures B) Joint fluid culture C) X-ray D) MRI Answer: B) Joint fluid culture What laboratory test is commonly elevated in patients with septic arthritis? A) Serum electrolytes B) Liver function tests C) Creatinine D) White blood cell count Answer: D) White blood cell count Which symptom might indicate the presence of septic arthritis in a joint? A) Increased flexibility B) Decreased warmth C) Localized tenderness D) None of the above Answer: C) Localized tenderness  
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