Which of the following is a complication of a lung abscess?

Prepare for your Breast, Chest Wall, and Thoracic Surgery Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to master your knowledge. Get ready to excel in your surgical career!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a complication of a lung abscess?

Explanation:
A lung abscess is a localized collection of pus in the lung from an infectious process. When bacteria from the abscess enter the bloodstream, they can cause bacteremia and trigger a systemic inflammatory response—sepsis. This is why sepsis is a known complication: it reflects the infection’s spread beyond the lung to the whole body, with signs like fever, tachycardia, hypotension, and potential organ dysfunction. The other options—hypertension, osteoarthritis, and renal calculi—are not direct complications of a lung abscess and don’t arise from a localized pulmonary infection.

A lung abscess is a localized collection of pus in the lung from an infectious process. When bacteria from the abscess enter the bloodstream, they can cause bacteremia and trigger a systemic inflammatory response—sepsis. This is why sepsis is a known complication: it reflects the infection’s spread beyond the lung to the whole body, with signs like fever, tachycardia, hypotension, and potential organ dysfunction. The other options—hypertension, osteoarthritis, and renal calculi—are not direct complications of a lung abscess and don’t arise from a localized pulmonary infection.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy