Which statement describes cellulitis risk factors?

Which statement describes cellulitis risk factors?

• A. History of recent skin ulceration or abrasion, venous insufficiency, CHF, or cirrhosis
• B. History of cancer
• C. Recent knee surgery
• D. Asthma history

Answer: (A)

Cellulitis risk rises when the skin barrier is breached and when the body’s defenses are overcome by fluid buildup or immune compromise. The statement that best describes risk factors includes a recent skin ulceration or abrasion, which creates a direct entry point for bacteria. It also lists venous insufficiency, which leads to edema and skin changes that weaken the local barrier and make infection more likely. Adding CHF and cirrhosis highlights conditions that commonly cause fluid overload and immune system challenges, both of which further predispose someone to cellulitis. Other options don’t as clearly capture the usual risk pattern. Cancer history can be associated with immune suppression, but it’s not a classic or specific risk factor for cellulitis. Recent knee surgery raises a concern for postoperative infection, but it’s not a general risk factor for cellulitis in the same way as skin barrier disruption plus edema. Asthma history doesn’t directly predispose to skin infections. So the combination of a breached skin barrier with edema-related conditions and systemic factors that impair defense best explains why that statement is the most accurate description of cellulitis risk factors.

Cellulitis risk rises when the skin barrier is breached and when the body’s defenses are overcome by fluid buildup or immune compromise. The statement that best describes risk factors includes a recent skin ulceration or abrasion, which creates a direct entry point for bacteria. It also lists venous insufficiency, which leads to edema and skin changes that weaken the local barrier and make infection more likely. Adding CHF and cirrhosis highlights conditions that commonly cause fluid overload and immune system challenges, both of which further predispose someone to cellulitis.

Other options don’t as clearly capture the usual risk pattern. Cancer history can be associated with immune suppression, but it’s not a classic or specific risk factor for cellulitis. Recent knee surgery raises a concern for postoperative infection, but it’s not a general risk factor for cellulitis in the same way as skin barrier disruption plus edema. Asthma history doesn’t directly predispose to skin infections.

So the combination of a breached skin barrier with edema-related conditions and systemic factors that impair defense best explains why that statement is the most accurate description of cellulitis risk factors.