Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

An abscess is specifically characterized as a localized collection of purulent fluid, typically resulting from infection, within a tissue or cavity. This definition emphasizes the presence of pus, which is a thick fluid composed of white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria, indicating an inflammatory response. The formation of an abscess often occurs in response to infection, where the body isolates the infectious agent to prevent it from spreading. The cavity formed provides a localized area where pus accumulates, distinguishing an abscess from other types of lesions or masses that may not involve pus or localized infection.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately describe an abscess. A mass greater than a few centimeters in diameter does not inherently imply the presence of infection or pus, and may refer to various types of tumors or swollen tissues. An elevated white or pink compressible papule refers more to skin lesions like cysts or dermatological issues, which do not necessarily involve purulent fluid. A circular lesion spreading from the center may relate to dermatological conditions like ringworm or other forms of eczema but lacks the defining characteristic of pus accumulation that is central to understanding an abscess.