New Jersey State Board Esthetics Practice Exam

How can you tell if there is an infection present?

1. Pain and swelling

2. Pus filled

3. Redness

4. Dryness

The correct answer is: Pus filled

Identifying the presence of an infection involves assessing multiple signs and symptoms. One of the most definitive indicators of infection is the presence of pus, which often signifies the accumulation of white blood cells that fight infection, dead tissue, and bacteria. When an area of the body is infected, the body responds by sending white blood cells to the site, leading to the formation of pus. This creamy or yellowish fluid is a clear sign that an infection is at play. While pain and swelling, redness, and dryness may also signal an issue, they do not exclusively point to infection. For example, pain and swelling can occur due to inflammation from various non-infectious conditions, redness may result from irritation or allergic reactions, and dryness typically indicates a lack of moisture without implying an infectious process. Thus, the presence of pus is a reliable indicator of an infection's presence.