A 20-year-old female college student is admitted to the intensive care unit from the emergency department. The patient lives in a dormitory at her university and her roommate brought her to the hospital because "she is not acting like herself." The patient was previously healthy to the roommate's knowledge, involved in campus activities, and an excellent student. The RN collects the patient's history of present illness from her roommate. About two weeks prior, the patient began feeling ill. She had nasal congestion and was diagnosed with a sinus infection at the student health clinic. However, the patient reportedly decided against taking the prescribed antibiotics because she did not believe they were necessary. She developed high fevers and one day ago began complaining of a stiff neck. That morning, she was more lethargic, making nonsensical statements, and had a fever of 105°F. Her roommate was frightened by her change in behavior and drove her to the hospital.
-A lumbar puncture is performed,which confirms a diagnosis of meningitis.The pathology report indicates that the cerebral spinal fluid sample was found to have gram-positive cocci in pairs and the patient is diagnosed with pneumococcus.What is the causative organism?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gram-positive cocci in pairs found in the cerebral spinal fluid sample is indicative of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is a common cause of bacterial meningitis. Other organisms that can cause meningitis include Neisseria meningitides, Haemophilus influenzae, and Listeria monocytogenes, but they have different gram staining characteristics and presentation.

A 20-Year-Old Female College Student Is Admitted to the Intensive