Your patient is a 14 month-old girl who has been taking an antibiotic for three days for an ear infection. Her parents have called EMS because the patient has not been eating or drinking, is irritable, has a fever, and generally appears very sick. Which of the following should you most highly suspect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms of not eating or drinking, irritability, fever, and appearing very sick in a child who is already taking antibiotics for an ear infection are highly suspicious for bacterial meningitis. It is important for EMS to transport the patient to the hospital quickly for evaluation and treatment. Herpes zoster and fifth disease typically do not present with these symptoms, and while an allergic reaction to the antibiotic is a possibility, it is not as likely given the timing of the symptoms appearing after three days of antibiotic use.

Your Patient Is a 14 Month-Old Girl Who Has Been