Define paronychia.

• A. Condition affecting tissue around or beside an eye.
• B. Condition affecting tissue around or beside a nail.
• C. Condition affecting tissue around or beside a lip.
• D. Condition affecting tissue around or beside a tooth.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Break down the term 'paronychia' into its components to understand its meaning. The prefix 'par-' means 'around' or 'beside,' and the root 'onych' refers to 'nail.' The suffix '-ia' indicates a condition.
2. Step 2: Combine the meanings of the parts: 'par-' (around) + 'onych' (nail) + '-ia' (condition) to interpret 'paronychia' as a condition around or beside the nail.
3. Step 3: Recognize that 'paronychia' is a medical term describing an infection or inflammation of the tissue surrounding the nail, not the eye, lip, or tooth.
4. Step 4: Confirm that the correct definition is 'Condition affecting tissue around or beside a nail,' distinguishing it from other similar-sounding conditions related to different body parts.
5. Step 5: Understand that this term is commonly used in clinical settings to describe infections such as bacterial or fungal infections near the fingernails or toenails.