Question

A 40 year old male is brought into the local emergency department via ambulance after being found down and unconscious on the steps of a local church. Some children found the patient while playing near the church and noted that when he was first noticed, he had a large unsterile syringe hanging from his right antecubital region (it is unknown at this time what was inside of the syringe). Upon arrival, he is unable to be aroused to consciousness and appears to have a large erythematous (red) rash in the right antecubital area; his blood pressure is 90/60, heart rate 160, respiratory rate 30, oxygen saturation 82% on room air; his temperature was noted to be 105.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Preliminary blood cultures were positive for Methicillin Resistant Staphlycoccus Aureus (MRSA). Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Sepsis

Fever secondary to drug abuse

Tuberculosis which has yet to be diagnosed

SIRS (Systemic inflammatory response syndrome)

None of the other statements are correct.

Answer 1

Answer: Sepsis

( The Methicillin Resistant Staphlycoccus Aureus (MRSA) are very less likely to be treated with the antibiotic. The staph causes sepsis as well as death if not treated properly.)