MRSA lesions may begin as small pustules that develop into larger pustules or abscesses with areas of erythema and tissue necrosis. Which statement describes this progression?

MRSA lesions may begin as small pustules that develop into larger pustules or abscesses with areas of erythema and tissue necrosis. Which statement describes this progression?

• A. Small pustules that progress to larger pustules or abscesses with erythema and tissue necrosis
• B. Flat pigmented macules that fade
• C. Patchy hair loss with redness
• D. Non-inflammatory crusting

Answer: (A)

MRSA skin infections commonly begin as a small pustule formed by pus collecting under the skin, and this lesion can enlarge into a larger pustule or an abscess. As it grows, the surrounding skin becomes inflamed (erythema) and there may be tissue necrosis within the lesion. This sequence—small pustules progressing to larger pustules or abscesses with surrounding redness and necrotic tissue—best matches the typical progression described. The other options describe skin findings that don’t reflect this pustule-to-abscess evolution (flat pigmented spots fading, patchy hair loss with redness, or non-inflammatory crusting), so they aren’t describing the MRSA progression in question.

MRSA skin infections commonly begin as a small pustule formed by pus collecting under the skin, and this lesion can enlarge into a larger pustule or an abscess. As it grows, the surrounding skin becomes inflamed (erythema) and there may be tissue necrosis within the lesion. This sequence—small pustules progressing to larger pustules or abscesses with surrounding redness and necrotic tissue—best matches the typical progression described. The other options describe skin findings that don’t reflect this pustule-to-abscess evolution (flat pigmented spots fading, patchy hair loss with redness, or non-inflammatory crusting), so they aren’t describing the MRSA progression in question.