NAPLEX Examination.
Daily Practice Question # 21.
Naplex
Fever curve. NAPLEX Review
- An important assessment tool, the fever curve may be a reliable indication of response to therapy. Defervescence usually indicates favorable response.
- White blood cell (WBC) count. In the initial stage of infection, the neutrophil count from a peripheral blood smear may rise above normal (neutrophilia), and immature neutrophil forms (“bands”) may appear (“left shift ”). In patients who are elderly, debilitated, or suff ering overwhelming infection, the WBC count may be normal or subnormal.
- Radiographic fi ndings. Small eff usions, abscesses, or cavities that appear on radiographs indicate the focus of infection.
- Pain and infl ammation (as evidenced by swelling, erythema, and tenderness) may occur when the infection is superfi cial or within a joint or bone, also indicating a possible focus of infection.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or “sed rate”). Large elevations in ESR are associated with acute or chronic infection, particularly endocarditis, chronic osteomyelitis, and intra-abdominal infections. A normal ESR does not exclude infection; more oft en, ESR is elevated as a result of noninfectious causes such as collagen vascular disease.
- Serum complement concentrations, particularly the C3 component, are oft en reduced in serious infections because of consumption during the host defense process.
