Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Practice Test

What should be the primary therapy for necrotizing fasciitis?

1. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

2. Antibiotic therapy

3. Surgical intervention

4. Combination of therapies

The correct answer is: Surgical intervention

The primary therapy for necrotizing fasciitis is surgical intervention because this condition is a severe, rapidly progressing infection that causes extensive tissue necrosis. Prompt surgical debridement is essential to remove necrotic tissue and eliminate the source of the infection. This intervention is critical for controlling the spread of the infection, preventing further tissue damage, and improving the chances of survival. While other therapies such as antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy can play supportive roles in the overall treatment plan, they are not substitutes for surgery. Antibiotics can help manage the infection but do not address the rapidly progressing tissue damage, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy may assist in promoting healing and combating hypoxia in the affected areas, but these treatments alone cannot resolve the immediate threat of necrosis and systemic infection. In some situations, a combination of therapies may be beneficial after initial surgical intervention, but the cornerstone of treatment for necrotizing fasciitis remains the urgent and effective surgical removal of infected and dead tissue.