General Pathology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 26-year-old man presents with fever (38.9°C), tachycardia (102 bpm), and a painful fluctuant nodule on the posterior neck 3 days after shaving. Vital signs show normal respiratory rate and oxygen saturation. Physical examination reveals surrounding erythema and induration without lymphadenopathy. Incision and drainage yields thick yellow purulent material. Laboratory studies show leukocytosis (WBC 14,200/μL) with left shift. Histopathology of the lesion center would most likely demonstrate which of the following?
Answer choices
- AGranulation tissue with type III collagen
- BCaseous necrosis with epithelioid macrophages
- CCollections of neutrophils with liquefactive necrosisCorrect answer
- DAcanthotic squamous epithelium with koilocytosis
- EFibrinoid necrosis of vessel walls
- FSheets of gram-positive cocci with fibrin deposition
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