Question

question 12 (mandatory) (2 points) an 18 - year - old has been irritable for the past 2 days and has complained of an earache for the past 2 days. on physical exam in the er he has a temperature of 104 f. he is now listless, lethargic and unable to walk. lab exam of the csf from a spinal tap shows numerous neutrophils, increased protein, and decreased glucose. gram staining of the csf will most likely show which of the following? no organisms gram - negative diplococci gram - positive cocci short gram - positive rods

Explanation:

The patient's symptoms (irritability, earache, high - fever, listlessness, lethargy, inability to walk) along with CSF findings (numerous neutrophils, increased protein, decreased glucose) suggest bacterial meningitis. In young adults, Neisseria meningitidis (a gram - negative diplococcus) is a common cause of bacterial meningitis.

Answer:

B. Gram - negative diplococci