Your Patient Had Abdominal Surgery Three Days Ago

Your patient had abdominal surgery three days ago. She seemed to be doing well after the surgery, but today the skin around the surgical incision is red and swollen. In addition, your patient has a high fever and is complaining of muscle aches. She also has a rash and has diarrhea. You realize that her wound has become infected, despite your best efforts as a nurse, and you are concerned that she has developed toxic shock syndrome. You explain the details of this type of infection to the patient's family.


-Wound infections are commonly caused by Staphylococcus species, common inhabitants of the nostrils and the skin. These organisms are

A) Gram-positive, pyrogenic, facultative anaerobes.
B) Gram-negative, pyogenic, facultative anaerobes.
C) Gram-positive, pyogenic, obligate aerobes.
D) Acid-fast, pyrogenic, obligate aerobes.
E) Gram-positive, pyogenic, facultative anaerobes.