Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

Hidradenitis suppurativa is primarily driven by the occlusion of hair follicles, leading to inflammation and secondary infection. The condition often arises in areas where friction occurs, such as the axillae, groin, and under the breasts. Staphylococcus species, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, are commonly associated with this condition due to their prevalence as skin commensals and their capacity to infect inflamed follicles. The presence of Staphylococcus contributes to the characteristic painful nodules or abscesses that define hidradenitis suppurativa.

Other options, while related to infections or skin conditions, do not represent the primary infectious agents linked with hidradenitis suppurativa. Streptococcus, while a common cause of other skin infections, is not the predominant organism in this specific condition. Candida albicans is a yeast associated with fungal infections rather than bacterial, and Escherichia coli usually relates to gastrointestinal infections, not the skin. Thus, the role of Staphylococcus as a common inhabitant and pathogen in this context cements it as the correct answer.