Jack Williams is a septuagenarian male with a history of coronary artery disease
ID: 139615 • Letter: J
Question
Jack Williams is a septuagenarian male with a history of coronary artery disease and hypertension. He comes into your setting with a several day history of fever, headache, and weakness. His wife states that he seemed confused and she was having difficulty understanding what he was saying to her this morning. His vitals were 103o F temperature, BP 96/52, HR 101 bpm, and RR 20/minute. On exam his mental status was drowsy and he was oriented only to person. His neurological exam was non-focal Which three tests would be most definitive to determine what is going on with Mr. Williams?
Explanation / Answer
As the neurological exam is non focal means the problem is not specific or associated to certain part/area of brain . Three tests to determine the disease are :-
- Basic blood investigation and blood culture = to rule out the cause of fever and analysis of blood counts
- Lumbar puncture =to rule out cause of fever related to meningitis( CSF glucose and protein levels)
- Scan of the head -CT, MRI = to rule out any obstruction , bleeding , infections, inflammation , clots etc .
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