Which of the following lab tests is NOT commonly ordered to ascertain whether the patient is experiencing large amounts of inflammation?
PT/INR
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Procalcitonin (PCT)
The Correct Answer is A
A. PT (Prothrombin Time) and INR (International Normalized Ratio) are tests primarily used to evaluate blood coagulation and the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy. While they can provide some insight into a patient's overall health, they are not specific indicators of inflammation.
B. CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. It is a well-established marker for detecting acute inflammation and is commonly used in clinical settings to assess inflammatory conditions.
C. ESR measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube. An elevated ESR is a classic indicator of inflammation in the body and is commonly used in diagnosing various inflammatory conditions.
D. Procalcitonin is a biomarker that can indicate bacterial infections and systemic inflammation. It is increasingly used in clinical practice to assess the severity of infection and inflammation, particularly in cases of sepsis.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While obtaining a sputum culture is important for identifying the causative organism and guiding antibiotic therapy, it is not an immediate priority. Delaying this test briefly for critical interventions (like oxygen administration) is acceptable, as stabilizing the patient's oxygen levels is more urgent.
B. Educating the patient about vaccination is important for long-term health and prevention of future respiratory infections. However, it does not address the current situation and does not provide immediate benefit for the acute episode of pneumonia.
C. The patient has a SpO2 of 91%, which indicates hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood). In pneumonia, adequate oxygenation is crucial to prevent further respiratory distress and potential complications. Administering oxygen therapy will help improve the oxygen saturation and support the patient’s respiratory function, making this the highest priority intervention.
D. While antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial pneumonia, they may take time to exert their effects. In this acute scenario, the immediate need is to ensure the patient is adequately oxygenated. After oxygen is administered, antibiotics can be given promptly.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While monitoring drug levels is important, sending a trough level before the initial dose is not standard practice. Trough levels are typically checked just before the next dose of a medication is given, especially for antibiotics like Gentamicin that require monitoring for potential toxicity. Therefore, this option is not the best immediate action.
B. While managing the environment and ensuring patient privacy is important, this option does not address any immediate medical needs related to starting the antibiotic infusion.
C. Educating the patient about potential side effects is essential for informed consent and patient safety. However, while important, this is not the most critical action to take prior to the infusion.
D. Before starting an antibiotic treatment, it is crucial to send a culture and sensitivity test to identify the specific pathogen causing the infection. This ensures that the selected antibiotic (Gentamicin) is appropriate for the identified bacteria, which is vital for effective treatment and to avoid antibiotic resistance.
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