USMLE · Question #490
A 16-year-old boy is brought to the physician because of a 3-day history of abdominal pain and vomiting; he also has had decreased appetite during this period. The pain was initially on the right but
The correct answer is C. Escherichia coli. See the full explanation below for the reasoning.
Question
A 16-year-old boy is brought to the physician because of a 3-day history of abdominal pain and vomiting; he also has had decreased appetite during this period. The pain was initially on the right but now has become generalized. His temperature is 38.8°C (101.8°F), pulse is 100/min, respirations are 20/min, and blood pressure is 143/83 mmHg. Abdominal examination shows guarding with diffuse rebound tenderness. There are no palpable masses. A CT scan of the abdomen shows a perforated appendix. Examination of peritoneal fluid from this patient will most likely show which of the following organisms?
Options
- ACandida albicans
- BCitrobacter freundii
- CEscherichia coli
- DStaphylococcus aureus
- EStreptococcus pneumoniae
How the community answered
(29 responses)- A7% (2)
- B3% (1)
- C76% (22)
- D14% (4)
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