An 84-year-old female is brought to the Emergency Department…

An 84-year-old female is brought to the Emergency Department by ambulance for intermittent fevers over the last two days. A caretaker at her nursing home reports that the patient has had new-onset incontinence and foul-smelling urine during the past week. They also state that the patient has been more confused than usual during this time. She has a medical history significant for Alzheimer dementia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. Her temperature is 98.6°F (37°0F), pulse is 96, blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg, respirations are 24/min. Laboratory studies are obtained and demonstrate a leukocyte count of 11,500. Which of the following aspects of this patient’s presentation meets criteria for the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)?

A 3-year-old boy is admitted to the Emergency Department in…

A 3-year-old boy is admitted to the Emergency Department in acute respiratory distress. The patient has T: 40°C (104°F), RR: 70/min, and HR:130/min. Auscultation of the lungs is unremarkable. An examination of the throat reveals an exudate in the posterior pharynx that is yellowish and membranous. Bleeding occurs when it is scraped and removed. The parents of the child reveal that the child has received no prior immunizations. A throat culture was ordered and worked up specifically for an organism that selectively grows on cystine tellurite agar. What organism is causing this child’s disease?

A 4-year-old girl presents with a 2-day history of muscle we…

A 4-year-old girl presents with a 2-day history of muscle weakness. Her parents state she has stopped walking, and she tells them her legs feel “loose.” Two weeks ago, she had mild flu-like symptoms, including fever, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. Her family is seeking asylum from West Africa. Her vitals are blood pressure 110/78 mm Hg, heart rate 64 bpm, respiratory rate 15 breaths/min, and temperature 98 °F (36.7 °C). The physical examination demonstrates asymmetric proximal muscle weakness in the lower extremities and the absence of reflexes. Polymerase chain reaction confirms the suspected diagnosis. A vaccine would have prevented this child’s condition. Which of the following is a component of this vaccine?