Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam

What type of fluid is contained in a pustule?

1. Clear fluid

2. Turbid fluid (pus)

3. Serous fluid

4. Blood

The correct answer is: Turbid fluid (pus)

A pustule is defined as a small, elevated lesion on the skin that contains pus. The presence of pus distinguishes pustules from other types of fluid-filled lesions. Pus is a thick fluid comprising dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue debris, typically resulting from infection or inflammation. This characteristic make-up of a pustule signifies that the body is responding to an infectious process, commonly seen in conditions like acne, impetigo, or folliculitis. The other types of fluid mentioned do not describe the contents of a pustule. Clear fluid typically refers to serous fluid, which is thin and watery and associated with blisters or vesicles. Serous fluid serves as a lubricating agent and indicates a different pathological process than what is seen in a pustule. Blood would suggest hemorrhage or a vascular process, while turbid fluid signifies infection, where pus specifically aligns with the definition of a pustule. Thus, the turbid fluid containing pus accurately characterizes what is found in a pustule.