Milady Esthetics State Board Practice Test

Pus is primarily composed of which components?

1. Red blood cells, bacteria, and skin cells

2. White blood cells, bacteria, and dead cells

3. Plasma, bacteria, and toxins

4. White blood cells, nutrients, and live cells

The correct answer is: White blood cells, bacteria, and dead cells

Pus is primarily composed of white blood cells, bacteria, and dead cells, which is why the chosen answer is accurate. When the body encounters an infection or injury, it responds by sending white blood cells to the affected area to combat pathogens, such as bacteria. As these white blood cells fight the infection, they can die in the process, contributing to the accumulation of dead cells in the pus. Additionally, the presence of bacteria represents the infectious agents that triggered the immune response in the first place. The mixture creates the thick, often yellowish fluid known as pus, which is a sign of inflammation typically seen during infections. In contrast, other options include components that do not accurately reflect the main constituents of pus. For instance, red blood cells are not a primary component of pus; while plasma contains liquid components of blood, it isn't typically part of pus either. Nutrients and live cells are more associated with healthy tissue rather than the pus formed during an inflammatory response. Thus, option B provides the most accurate representation of what pus consists of during an infection.