1) Your patient is suspected of having pneumonia caused
by a Y. pestis infection. You are sending them to have
labs done before prescribing an antibiotic.
Which of the following is the best for identifying the organism?
The best choice is D. The blood specimen is critical
for public health to assist in case classifications. It should be drawn
before antibiotics are administered.
The best choice is D. Obtaining a smear or isolate is more useful for patient diagnosis. However, multiple blood specimens are helpful to public health to assist in case classifications. Obtaining more than one blood sample will make it more likely for public health to isolate the organism in the blood.
The best choice is D. Obtaining a smear or isolate is more useful for patient diagnosis. However, public health will require a blood specimen to assist in case classification. Whole blood or plasma on filter paper is an acceptable alternative.
Correct.
Any case of plague should be cause to contact your public health department.
A smear or isolate from the affected tissues would be sufficient to
identify the organism. However, paired sera, collected 14 days apart,
would be critical for public health officials. A blood specimen should
be obtained.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Tel: 404-639-3311 • Public Inquiries: 800-CDC-INFO • TTY: 888-232-6348
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