HOSA Pathophysiology Integumentary Practice Test 2026 – Comprehensive Exam Prep

Bacterial paronychia is an infection of the skin around the nail, commonly caused by specific bacteria that are known to thrive in such environments. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria frequently found on the skin and is notorious for causing various skin infections, including paronychia. This microorganism is capable of penetrating through minor injuries near the nail bed or the cuticle, leading to an inflammatory response that characterizes paronychia.

Staphylococcus aureus is particularly adept at causing purulent infections, meaning it can produce pus and cause swelling, redness, and pain around the infected area. Due to its prevalence in human skin flora and ability to infect through small breaks in the skin, it is the primary organism associated with bacterial paronychia. In contrast, the other microorganisms listed do not typically cause paronychia: Escherichia coli is primarily associated with gastrointestinal infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae is a respiratory pathogen; and human papillomavirus is associated with viral infections, not bacterial infections or skin conditions like paronychia.