A 13-year-old girl with cerebral palsy is admitted to the pediatric surgical unit following a posterior spinal fusion. During the procedure, rods were implanted to straighten her spine. Per the orthopedic surgical team's report, the patient tolerated the procedure well. Her post-operative vital signs were stable. 24 hours after she arrives to the inpatient unit, her blood pressure is 70/35, heart rate is 150 beats per minute, temperature is 104°F, and respiratory rate is 30 breaths per minute. She is difficult to arouse and is not responding to questions. The nurse calls for emergent assistance. Upon removing the dressing, it is noted that her incision is swollen, red, and oozing a cloudy white substance.
-Preliminary testing on the blood cultures reveals the presence of gram-positive cocci.Although the final organism has not been identified,which of the following organisms is the most likely cause of the patient's septicemia?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus aureus is a common gram-positive cocci responsible for a variety of infections, including surgical site infections. It is more common than Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae as a cause of septicemia in postoperative patients. The patient's symptoms, including a swollen and red incision site, suggest a surgical site infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

A 13-Year-Old Girl with Cerebral Palsy Is Admitted to the Pediatric