Please read the clinical scenario, and then answer the question that follow to become familiar with the traditional NCLEX question format.
A 3-year-old patient is admitted to the ER after a sudden onset of high fever and chills, a productive cough, and shortness of breath. The parents indicate that the child had been healthy up until a few hours ago. An initial workup of the child shows an elevated temperature (103oF), a rapid pulse rate (140 bpm), and a low oxygen saturation level (82%). Supplemental oxygen and acetaminophen are administered immediately, and specimens are obtained from the patient for microbial analysis.
-Further microscopic analysis of negatively stained specimens reveals a clearing around each of the spherical cells against a dark background.This clearing indicates that the pathogen possesses which structure(s)?

Question

Please read the clinical scenario, and then answer the question that follow to become familiar with the traditional NCLEX question format.
  A 3-year-old patient is admitted to the ER after a sudden onset of high fever and chills, a productive cough, and shortness of breath. The parents indicate that the child had been healthy up until a few hours ago. An initial workup of the child shows an elevated temperature (103oF), a rapid pulse rate (140 bpm), and a low oxygen saturation level (82%). Supplemental oxygen and acetaminophen are administered immediately, and specimens are obtained from the patient for microbial analysis.
-Further microscopic analysis of negatively stained specimens reveals a clearing around each of the spherical cells against a dark background.This clearing indicates that the pathogen possesses which structure(s)?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The clearing around each of the spherical cells against a dark background is indicative of a capsule, which is a protective structure that is often seen in bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. The presence of a capsule can make it difficult for the host's immune system to recognize and eliminate the pathogen.

Please Read the Clinical Scenario, and Then Answer the Question