Reading Sub-Test - Text Booklet Part A - Cellulitis: Texts - Sample

Sep 4, 2026

A sample English reading sub-test covers cellulitis through four instructional texts and a linked question format. The materials define cellulitis and explain common causes, typical sites, and risk factors for recurrence. They introduce the Eron classification to guide admission and treatment, outlining when hospitalisation is needed. Drug therapy options are provided for typical and atypical cellulitis, followed by management steps for pain, monitoring, hydration, limb elevation, blister care, and compression assessment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Cellulitis: definition and aetiology

Severity of cellulitis (Eron Classification)

Suitable drug therapy and atypical cellulitis

Management of the locally affected area

RSAMPLE5 READING SUB-TEST – TEXT BOOKLET: PART A | INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES | | --- | | You must NOT remove OET material from the test room. | Downloadand printthetest paperandwriteyouranswersasyouwouldontestday Or Ifyoudon't haveaccesstoa printer,writeyouranswersona separate pieceof paper. [www.occupationalenglishtest.org](www.occupationalenglishtest.org) © Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment –ABN 51 988 559 414 [CANDIDATE NO.] READING TEXT BOOKLET PART A 01/04 SAMPLE Cellulitis: Texts Text A Cellulitis: deﬁnition and aetiology Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue which presents with an acute onset of red, painful, hot, swollen, and tender skin, sometimes with blister formation. Fever and nausea may accompany or precede skin changes. By far the commonest organisms that cause cellulitis are Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Other, less common organisms include Aeromonas hydrophila (caused by exposure to fresh water), Pasteurella multocida and anaerobes (caused by mammalian bites), Vibrio vulniﬁcus (caused by exposure to salt water), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (caused by use of hot tubs) . The leg is the most commonly aﬀected site, with unilateral presentation the norm. Bilateral leg cellulitis can occur but is extremely rare. Infection arises from an identiﬁable break in the skin from trauma. Recurrent cellulitis is more common in people who have chronic lymphoedema, especially in those with a history of venectomy for coronary artery bypass grafting, mastectomy, or pelvic surgery. Text B Severity of cellulitis The Eron Classi cation system can help to guide admission and treatment decisions: | Class I | There are no signs of systemic toxicity, and the person has no uncontrolled co-morbidities. | | --- | --- | | Class II | The person is either systemically unwell or systemically well but with a co-morbidity, e.g., peripheral arterial disease, chronic venous insufficiency, or morbid obesity, which may complicate or delay resolution of infection. | | Class III | The person has significant systemic upset such as acute confusion, tachycardia or hypotension, or a limb-threatening infection due to vascular compromise. | | Class IV | The person has a severe life-threatening infection such as necrotizing fasciitis. | In suspected cases of cellulitis, immediately hospitalise anyone with Class III or IV. In addition, anyone whois immunocompromised, has facial cellulitis, is very young (under 12 months) or elderly and frail, or whose cellulitis is rapidly deteriorating must be hospitalised. Note that many other common conditions, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), share the same symptoms (unilateral redness and/or swelling) as cellulitis. The same is also true for rare, serious conditions, such as metastatic cancer. [CANDIDATE NO.] READING TEXT BOOKLET PART A 02/04 Text C | Suitable drug | therapy for typical cellulitis | | | --- | --- | --- | | | First line | Second line | | Class 1 | Flucloxacillin 500 mg 4x/day PO | Penicillin allergy: Clarithromycin 300 mg 2x/day PO | | Class 2 | Flucloxacillin 1 g 4x/day IV
or
* Ceftriaxone 1 g 1x/day IV (OPAT only)(Must not be used in penicillin anaphylaxis) | Penicillin allergy:
Clarithromycin 500 mg 2x/day IVor Clindamycin 600 mg 4x/day IV | | Class 3 | Flucloxacillin 1 g 4x/day IV | Penicillin allergy:
Clarithromycin 500 mg 2x/day IVor Clindamycin 600 mg 4x/day IV | | Class 4 | Benzylpenicillin 2.4 g 2-4 hourly IV
+ Ciprofloxacin 400 mg 2x/day IV
+ Clindamycin 600 mg–1.2 g 4x/day (If allergic to penicillin use Ciprofloxacin and Clindamycin only) NB: Discuss with local Medical Microbiology Service | | | Suitable drug therapy for atypical cellulitis | | | | Risk Factor | First line | Penicillin allergy | | Human bite | Co-amoxiclav 625 mg 3x/day PO | Clarithromycin 500 mg 2x/day POor Doxycycline 100 mg 2x/day PO and Metronidazole 400 mg 3x/day PO | | Cat/dog bi

FAQs

What is cellulitis and what symptoms does it present with?

Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, presenting with red, painful, hot, swollen, and tender skin, sometimes with blister formation. Fever and nausea may accompany or precede skin changes.

How does the Eron Classification system guide decisions about admission and treatment?

Eron helps decide admission based on systemic toxicity and severity. Anyone with Class III or IV should be hospitalised, and additional high-risk groups must also be hospitalised.

What guidance is given for drug therapy and local management of cellulitis?

The booklet lists first-line and second-line drug options for typical and atypical cellulitis, including adjustments for penicillin allergy and specific exposure risk factors. Local management includes pain relief, monitoring temperature, hydration, elevating the limb, appropriate blister handling, avoiding topical antibiotics, and assessing for compression after swelling subsides.

Sep 4, 2026

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