A 30- year- old woman was hospitalized after she experienced convulsions. On examination, she was alert and oriented and complained of a fever, headache, and stiff neck. Which of the following is most likely to provide rapid identification of the cause of her symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A Gram stain of the cerebrospinal fluid would provide rapid identification of the cause of the symptoms. It can reveal the presence of bacteria, helping to diagnose bacterial meningitis, which is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. The other options, such as checking serum antibodies or performing a biopsy of brain tissue, may be helpful, but they are not as rapid or direct as a Gram stain of the cerebrospinal fluid.

A 30- Year- Old Woman Was Hospitalized After She Experienced