A 20-year-old female college student is admitted to the intensive care unit from the emergency department. The patient lives in a dormitory at her university and her roommate brought her to the hospital because “she is not acting like herself.” The patient was previously healthy to the roommate’s knowledge, involved in campus activities, and an excellent student. The RN collects the patient’s history of present illness from her roommate. About two weeks prior, the patient began feeling ill. She had nasal congestion and was diagnosed with a sinus infection at the student health clinic. However, the patient reportedly decided against taking the prescribed antibiotics because she did not believe they were necessary. She developed high fevers and one day ago began complaining of a stiff neck. That morning, she was more lethargic, making nonsensical statements, and had a fever of 105°F. Her roommate was frightened by her change in behavior and drove her to the hospital.

Which immune cell type is primarily responsible for producing antibodies in response to the chickenpox virus? 

What is the term for fat in stool?

Which phase of growth corresponds to the period of growth between inoculation and when the cells adjust to their environment and begin growth at their maximum rate.

Which phase of bacterial growth is most associated with a rapid increase in bacterial numbers, leading to widespread infection?

As RN working in a general medical-surgical unit you are caring for a 57-year-old female with a bladder infection. Two weeks prior to hospitalization, the patient was experiencing slight burning upon urination. She self-treated by increasing her intake of fluids, but her symptoms continued to worsen. One week later, she developed generalized abdominal pain and a fever. She presented to the hospital when the pain became unbearable and fever reached 104°F. She was admitted to the medical-surgical unit and started on multiple IV antibiotics with concern that she could be developing a kidney infection.

If the patient develops rabies infection, the time from the bite to the appearance of symptoms is referred to as what stage of the infection?

A confirmatory Western blot test will be performed. The nurse educates the patient that the Western blot test has high sensitivity and specificity. Which of the following statements by the patient demonstrates understanding of this teaching?

A woman who is 38 weeks pregnant is admitted for a scheduled cesarean section. You perform an assessment of the patient and prepares her for the surgery. Prior to the procedure, an indwelling urinary catheter is placed.

Based upon the patient’s symptoms, which of the following tests is most important to obtain a diagnosis?