While rummaging through the pantry, a 14 year old boy found a can of spam. He pr

Question

While rummaging through the pantry, a 14 year old boy found a can of spam. He proceeded to eat the canned meat without thorough heating. His mother returned home from grocery shopping and noticed that her son had dilated pupils, his right eye turned outward, he was limp, he was grasping for air, and his breathing was labored and diffucult. She rushed her son to the nearest ER where appropriate treatment was initiated.
As the trauma nurse, what is your first step in the management of this patient?
What is the most likely diagnosis?
What is the most likely organism?
What is the treatment of choice?
What is the likely pathogenesis to this condition?

Explanation / Answer

First step in the management of this patient is to treat his symptoms. He can be put on an artifical ventilator. The most likely diagnosis is food posioning The most likely organism is Clostridium botulinum. The treatment of choice is antitoxin The likely pathogenesis is that the toxin affects nervous system and release of neurotransmitters.

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