Question

A mother brings her 10-year-old daughter to the clinic; the child is complaining of a sore throat and has a low-grade fever (99.6°F). The mother states that the child has had a runny nose and a cough for the last few days. On examination, the physician notes that the child’s pharynx appears red and that her tonsils are slightly swollen; no exudate is noted. Blood is drawn for a complete blood count (CBC), and a rapid strep test is sent to the microbiology laboratory. Laboratory data follow:

Hemoglobin: Normal

White blood count: Slightly elevated.

Rapid strep test: Negative

Confirmation culture: Negative for group A b-hemolytic streptococci

Critical Thinking Questions

1. What are the clinically relevant signs and symptoms in the case history?

2. What are the clinically relevant laboratory findings to support this diagnosis?

Answer 1

1) Clinically relavant signs and symptoms are a.sore throat, b. Runny nose and cough, c.low grade fever, d.Red pharynx, e.swollen tonsils.

2)Negative rapid strep test, slightly elevated WBC are the Clinically relevant lab finding which supports the diagnosis.