Which factor increases risk for spinal infection?

Which factor increases risk for spinal infection?

• A. Regular exercise
• B. Recent surgeries
• C. Adequate hydration
• D. Sleep deprivation

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing what factors raise the risk of spinal infection. Recent surgeries increase this risk because the procedure can introduce bacteria into the spine or around any implanted hardware, and postoperative wound contamination or transient bacteremia can seed the vertebral spaces, leading to vertebral osteomyelitis, discitis, or an epidural abscess. In the postoperative setting, these infections are a known complication and require prompt evaluation if back pain, fever, or neurologic changes occur. Regular exercise and adequate hydration are generally protective for health and immune function rather than risk factors for spinal infection. Sleep deprivation can slightly affect immune performance, but it is not a strong, direct risk factor for spinal infections compared with the clear association between recent spinal surgery and infection risk.

The main idea here is recognizing what factors raise the risk of spinal infection. Recent surgeries increase this risk because the procedure can introduce bacteria into the spine or around any implanted hardware, and postoperative wound contamination or transient bacteremia can seed the vertebral spaces, leading to vertebral osteomyelitis, discitis, or an epidural abscess. In the postoperative setting, these infections are a known complication and require prompt evaluation if back pain, fever, or neurologic changes occur.

Regular exercise and adequate hydration are generally protective for health and immune function rather than risk factors for spinal infection. Sleep deprivation can slightly affect immune performance, but it is not a strong, direct risk factor for spinal infections compared with the clear association between recent spinal surgery and infection risk.