4 Days Of Worsening in Surgery — Case | General Surgery | SMLE Q#12458
SMLE Question #12458
Surgery
General Surgery
Objective: OBJ-TRACH-EMERG-01
Last updated: February 2026
A 24-year-old primiparous woman, 4 weeks postpartum and breastfeeding, presents with 4 days of worsening right breast pain and swelling, fever, and difficulty breastfeeding. Examination shows a 5-cm tense, fluctuant, very tender mass in the upper outer quadrant with overlying erythema, warmth, and thinned skin; there is no necrosis. Right axillary lymph nodes are mildly tender. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
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