Systemic effects of inflammation — MCQs

A 6-year-old boy is presented to a pediatric clinic by his mother with complaints of fever, malaise, and cough for the past 2 days. He frequently complains of a sore throat and has difficulty eating solid foods. The mother mentions that, initially, the boy’s fever was low-grade and intermittent but later became high grade and continuous. The boy was born at 39 weeks gestation via spontaneous vaginal delivery. He is up to date on all vaccines and is meeting all developmental milestones. The past medical history is noncontributory. The boy takes a multivitamin every day. The mother reports that he does well in school and is helpful around the house. The boy’s vital signs include blood pressure 110/65 mm Hg, heart rate 110/min, respiratory rate 32/min, and temperature 38.3°C (101.0°F). On physical examination, the boy appears uncomfortable and has difficulty breathing. His heart is mildly tachycardic with a regular rhythm and his lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. Oropharyngeal examination shows that his palatine tonsils are covered with pus and that there is erythema of the surrounding mucosa. Which of the following mediators is responsible for this patient’s elevated temperature?

A 60-year-old rock musician presents to the office because he has been feeling increasingly tired for the past 6 months. He has a history of intravenous drug use and alcohol abuse. He states that he feels quite tired, but he otherwise has no complaints. Physical examination is noncontributory. His laboratory values are normal other than moderately elevated liver enzymes. Which of the following additional tests should you order first?

A 53-year-old diabetic man with cellulitis of the right lower limb presents to the emergency department because of symptoms of fever and chills. His pulse is 122/min, the blood pressure is 76/50 mm Hg, the respirations are 26/min, and the temperature is 40.0°C (104.0°F). His urine output is < 0.5mL/kg/h. He has warm peripheral extremities. The hemodynamic status of the patient is not improving in spite of the initiation of adequate fluid resuscitation. He is admitted to the hospital. Which of the following is the most likely laboratory profile?

A 70-year-old woman is on hospital day 2 in the medical intensive care unit. She was admitted from the emergency department for a 2-day history of shortness of breath and fever. In the emergency department, her temperature is 39.4°C (103.0°F), the pulse is 120/min, the blood pressure is 94/54 mm Hg, the respiratory rate is 36/min, and oxygen saturation was 82% while on 4L of oxygen via a non-rebreather mask. Chest X-ray shows a right lower lobe consolidation. She was intubated, sedated, and started on broad-spectrum antibiotics for sepsis of pulmonary origin and intravenous norepinephrine for blood pressure support. Since then, her clinical condition has been stable, though her vasopressor and oxygen requirements have not improved. Today, her physician is called to the bedside because her nurse noted some slow bleeding from her intravenous line sites and around her urinary catheter. Which of the following most likely represents the results of coagulation studies for this patient?

A 28-year-old man presents to the office with complaints of malaise, anorexia, and vomiting for the past 2 weeks. He also says that his urine is dark. The past medical history is unremarkable. The temperature is 36.8°C (98.2°F), the pulse is 72/min, the blood pressure is 118/63 mm Hg, and the respiratory rate is 15/min. The physical examination reveals a slightly enlarged, tender liver. No edema or spider angiomata are noted. Laboratory testing showed the following: HBsAg Positive IgM anti-HBc < 1:1,000 Anti-HBs Negative HBeAg Positive Anti-HBe Negative HBV DNA 2.65 × 10⁹ IU/L Alpha-fetoprotein 125 ng/mL What is the most likely cause of this patient's condition?

A 3-day-old female newborn is brought to the emergency department because of fever, poor feeding, and irritability for 6 hours. She was delivered at home at 39 weeks' gestation and delivery was uncomplicated. The mother had no prenatal care. Her temperature is 39.8°C (103.6°F), pulse is 172/min, respirations are 58/min, and blood pressure is 74/45 mm Hg. She appears lethargic. Physical examination shows expiratory grunting and nasal flaring. Serum studies show elevated levels of interleukin-6. Which of the following is the most likely effect of this laboratory finding?

A 46-year-old male was found unconscious in the field and brought to the emergency department by EMS. The patient was intubated in transit and given a 2 liter bolus of normal saline. On arrival, the patient's blood pressure is 80/60 mmHg and temperature is 37.5°C. Jugular veins are flat and capillary refill time is 4 seconds. Vascular parameters are measured and are as follows: Cardiac index - Low Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) - Low Systemic vascular resistance - High Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 73-year-old man comes to the physician because of progressive fatigue and shortness of breath on exertion for 3 weeks. He has swelling of his legs. He has not had nausea or vomiting. His symptoms began shortly after he returned from a trip to Cambodia. He occasionally takes ibuprofen for chronic back pain. He has a history of arterial hypertension and osteoarthritis of both knees. He had an episode of pneumonia 4 months ago. His current medications include lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide. He has no history of drinking or smoking. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 101/min, and blood pressure is 135/76 mm Hg. Examination shows pitting edema of the upper and lower extremities. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 14.1 g/dL Leukocyte count 6,800/mm3 Platelet count 216,000/mm3 Serum Urea nitrogen 26 mg/dL Creatinine 2.9 mg/dL Albumin 1.6 g/dL Urine Blood negative Protein 4+ Glucose negative Renal biopsy with Congo red stain shows apple-green birefringence under polarized light. Further evaluation of this patient is most likely to show which of the following findings?

A 45-year-old immigrant presents with unintentional weight loss, sleep hyperhidrosis, and a persistent cough. He says these symptoms have been present for quite some time. Upon imaging, many granulomas in the upper lobes are present. It is noted that these apical granulomas have centers of necrosis that appear cheese-like in appearance. Encircling the area of necrosis are large cells with cytoplasms pale in color. Of the following surface markers, which one is most closely associated with these cells?

A 34-year-old Caucasian female presents at the ER with fever and sharp pain in her chest upon coughing and inhalation. Three weeks earlier she presented to her rheumatologist with a butterfly rash, joint pain and fatigue and was given a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. A friction rub is present upon physical exam. Which of the following do you most suspect in this patient?