Please read the clinical scenario, and then answer the question that follow to become familiar with the traditional NCLEX question format.
Jennifer is a 13-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, who came to your children’s hospital for a posterior spinal fusion, where her spine was straightened with rods that were surgically implanted. She tolerated the procedure well, but now 24 hours after the lengthy operation, her blood pressure is 70/25, with a heart rate of 150, fever of 104 degrees, and breathing deeply and rapidly. Whereas several hours ago her vital signs were stable and she was talking to you, she now seems to show no interest in interacting with anybody. Of note, her incision site down her back is swollen, red, and oozing a cloudy white substance. You call the attending physician, who rushes to the bedside.
-What is the most likely diagnosis?

Question

Please read the clinical scenario, and then answer the question that follow to become familiar with the traditional NCLEX question format.
 Jennifer is a 13-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, who came to your children’s hospital for a posterior spinal fusion, where her spine was straightened with rods that were surgically implanted. She tolerated the procedure well, but now 24 hours after the lengthy operation, her blood pressure is 70/25, with a heart rate of 150, fever of 104 degrees, and breathing deeply and rapidly. Whereas several hours ago her vital signs were stable and she was talking to you, she now seems to show no interest in interacting with anybody. Of note, her incision site down her back is swollen, red, and oozing a cloudy white substance. You call the attending physician, who rushes to the bedside. 
-What is the most likely diagnosis?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jennifer's symptoms - low blood pressure, tachycardia, fever, altered mental status, and signs of inflammation at the surgical site - point towards a possible bacterial infection. Dengue fever is unlikely, as it is an arboviral illness transmitted by mosquitoes and is not associated with surgical complications. Postoperative hemorrhagic fever and fungemia are also less likely because they are not associated with the specific symptoms and signs that Jennifer is showing.

Please Read the Clinical Scenario, and Then Answer the Question