Fever of unknown origin — MCQs

A 23-year-old woman presents with progressively worsening headache, photophobia, and intermittent fever that have lasted for 6 days. She says her headache is mostly frontal and radiates down her neck. She denies any recent history of blood transfusions, recent travel, or contact with animals. Her past medical history is unremarkable. She is sexually active with a single partner for the past 3 years. Her temperature is 38.5°C (101.3°F). On physical examination, she appears pale and diaphoretic. A fine erythematous rash is noted on the neck and forearms. A lumbar puncture is performed and CSF analysis reveals: Opening pressure: 300 mm H2O Erythrocytes: None Leukocytes: 72/mm3 Neutrophils: 10% Lymphocytes: 75% Mononuclear: 15% Protein: 100 mg/dL Glucose: 70 mg/dL Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

A 34-year-old man comes to the physician because of fatigue and shortness of breath with moderate exertion for the past 2 months. Over the past 10 days, he has had low-grade fevers and night sweats. He has no history of serious illness except for a bicuspid aortic valve diagnosed 5 years ago. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 10 years and drinks 3–5 beers on social occasions. He does not use illicit drugs. The patient takes no medications. He appears weak. His temperature is 37.7°C (99.9°F), pulse is 70/min, and blood pressure is 128/64 mm Hg. The lungs are clear to auscultation. A grade 2/6 systolic murmur is heard best at the right sternal border and second intercostal space. There are several hemorrhages underneath his fingernails on both hands and multiple tender, red nodules on his fingers. Which of the following is the most likely causal organism?

A 33-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a fever and fatigue. He states that he has not felt well since he returned from a hiking trip in Alabama. He is generally healthy and has no other medical conditions. His temperature is 101°F (38.3°C), blood pressure is 127/85 mmHg, pulse is 108/min, respirations are 14/min, and oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. Physical exam including a full dermatologic inspection is unremarkable. Laboratory studies are ordered as seen below. Hemoglobin: 13 g/dL Hematocrit: 39% Leukocyte count: 2,200/mm^3 with normal differential Platelet count: 77,000/mm^3 Serum: Na+: 139 mEq/L Cl-: 100 mEq/L K+: 4.3 mEq/L HCO3-: 24 mEq/L BUN: 19 mg/dL Glucose: 98 mg/dL Creatinine: 1.3 mg/dL Ca2+: 10.2 mg/dL AST: 92 U/L ALT: 100 U/L Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 32-year-old man presents to the physician with a history of fever, malaise, and arthralgia in the large joints for the last 2 months. He also mentions that his appetite has been significantly decreased during this period, and he has lost considerable weight. He also informs the physician that he often experiences tingling and numbness in his right upper limb, and his urine is also dark in color. The past medical records show that he was diagnosed with an infection 7 months before and recovered well. On physical examination, the temperature is 37.7°C (99.8°F), the pulse rate is 86/min, the respiratory rate is 14/min, and the blood pressure is 130/94 mm Hg. Which of the following infections has most likely caused the condition the patient is suffering from?

A 26-year-old woman seeks evaluation at an urgent care clinic with complaints of fever and generalized muscle and joint pain for the past 3 days. She also complains of nausea, but denies vomiting. She does not mention any past similar episodes. Her past medical history is unremarkable, but she returned to the United States 1 week ago after spending 2 weeks in southeast Asia doing charity work. She received all the recommended vaccines prior to traveling. The temperature is 40.0°C (104.0°F), the respirations are 15/min, the pulse is 107/min, and the blood pressure is 98/78 mm Hg. Physical examination shows mild gingival bleeding and a petechial rash over the trunk. Laboratory studies show the following: Laboratory test Leukocyte count 4,000/mm³ Platelet count 100,000/mm³ Partial thromboplastin time (activated) 45 seconds Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s condition?

A 25-year-old woman is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with hematemesis and shock. Five days ago she had a severe fever 40.0℃ (104.0℉), retro-orbital pain, nausea, and myalgias. The high temperatures decreased over a few days, but she developed severe abdominal pain and bleeding gums. A single episode of hematemesis occurred prior to ICU admission. She travels to Latin America every winter. Two weeks ago, she traveled to Brazil and spent most of her time outdoors. She is restless. The temperature is 38.0℃ (100.4℉), the pulse is 110/min, the respiration rate is 33/min, and the blood pressure is 90/70 mm Hg. Conjunctival suffusion is seen. The extremities are cold. A maculopapular rash covers the trunk and extremities. Ecchymoses are observed on the lower extremities. The lung bases reveal absent sounds with dullness to percussion. The abdomen is distended. The liver edge is palpable and liver span is 15 cm. Shifting dullness is present. The laboratory studies show the following: Laboratory test Hemoglobin 16.5 g/dL Leukocyte count 3500/mm3 Segmented neutrophils 55% Lymphocytes 30% Platelet count 90,000/mm3 Serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 75 U/L Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 70 U/L Total bilirubin 0.8 mg/dL Direct bilirubin 0.2 mg/dL Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 42-year-old woman presents to a medical office with complaints of fatigue, weight loss, and low-grade fever for 1 week. She noticed bleeding spots on her feet this morning. The past medical history is significant for a recent dental appointment. She is a non-smoker and does not drink alcohol. She does not currently take any medications. On examination, the vital signs include temperature 37.8°C (100.0°F), blood pressure 138/90 mm Hg, respirations 21/min, and pulse 87/min. Cardiac auscultation reveals a pansystolic murmur in the mitral area with radiation to the left axilla. Laboratory studies show hemoglobin levels of 17.2 g/dL, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 25 mm/h, and a white blood cell (WBC) count of 12,000 cells/mm3. An echocardiogram reveals valvular vegetations on the mitral valve with mild regurgitation. Blood samples are sent for bacterial culture. Empiric antibiotic therapy is initiated with ceftriaxone and vancomycin. The blood cultures most likely will yield the growth of which of the following organisms?

A 55-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by ambulance after being found disoriented. He has limited ability to communicate in English but indicates that he has left flank pain and a fever. Chart review reveals that he has diabetes and sleep apnea but both are well controlled. He also has a 30-pack-year smoking history and has lost about 20 pounds since his last presentation. Physical exam reveals a bulge in his left scrotum and ultrasound reveals bilateral kidney stones. Which of the following findings is also associated with the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?

A 34-year-old woman comes to the emergency department because of right flank pain and vomiting for 5 hours. She has had fever and chills for the past 2 days. She attended a barbecue 3 days ago, where she ate egg salad. She underwent surgery for left ovarian torsion a year ago. Menses occur at regular 28-day intervals and last 5 days. She is sexually active with 2 male partners and uses condoms inconsistently. Her only medication is an oral contraceptive pill. She is 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) tall and weighs 72.5 kg (160 lb); BMI is 27.5 kg/m2. She appears uncomfortable. Her temperature is 38.9°C (102°F), pulse is 101/min, and blood pressure is 118/76 mm Hg. The lungs are clear to auscultation. The right lower quadrant and right flank show severe tenderness to palpation. Pelvic examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 12.8 g/dL Leukocyte count 14,200/mm3 Platelet count 230,000/mm3 Serum Na+ 136 mEq/L K+ 3.8 mEq/L Cl- 103 mEq/L Urea nitrogen 23 mg/dL Creatinine 1.2 mg/dL Urine Blood 1+ Protein 1+ Glucose negative Leukocyte esterase positive Nitrites negative RBC 6–8/hpf WBC 80–85/hpf Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 65-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a fever and weakness. He states his symptoms started yesterday and have been gradually worsening. The patient has a past medical history of obesity, diabetes, alcohol abuse, as well as a 30 pack-year smoking history. He lives in a nursing home and has presented multiple times in the past for ulcers and delirium. His temperature is 103°F (39.4°C), blood pressure is 122/88 mmHg, pulse is 129/min, respirations are 24/min, and oxygen saturation is 99% on room air. Physical exam is notable for a murmur. The patient is started on vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam and is admitted to the medicine floor. During his hospital stay, blood cultures grow Streptococcus bovis and his antibiotics are appropriately altered. A transesophageal echocardiograph is within normal limits. The patient’s fever decreases and his symptoms improve. Which of the following is also necessary in this patient?