A 23-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department due to 2 days of fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath. Medical history is significant for recurrent lung infections and cystic fibrosis. Temperature is 38.1 C (100.6 F), pulse is 104/min, and respirations are 22/min. Pulse oximetry is 86% on room air. Examination shows a thin woman with digital clubbing and a hyperexpanded chest. Diffuse wheezes and crackles are present bilaterally. The rest of the examination is unremarkable. Chest x-ray reveals hyperinflation, chronic interstitial changes, and dilated, thickened airways. Sputum culture from this patient is most likely to yield which of the following organisms?

Question

A 23-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department due to 2 days of fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath.  Medical history is significant for recurrent lung infections and cystic fibrosis. Temperature is 38.1 C (100.6 F), pulse is 104/min, and respirations are 22/min.  Pulse oximetry is 86% on room air.  Examination shows a thin woman with digital clubbing and a hyperexpanded chest.  Diffuse wheezes and crackles are present bilaterally.  The rest of the examination is unremarkable.  Chest x-ray reveals hyperinflation, chronic interstitial changes, and dilated, thickened airways.  Sputum culture from this patient is most likely to yield which of the following organisms?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: In patients with cystic fibrosis, pathogenic bacteria colonize the respiratory tract early in the disease course.  The leading pathogen in adults is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which forms a thick biofilm to prevent its full elimination from the body.

A 23-Year-Old Woman Is Brought to the Emergency Department Due