USMLE Question of the Week

Acute Onset Hypotension in the Emergency Room for USMLE

In Episode 11 of Med School Question of the Week for USMLE, Luke Maxfield, MedSchoolCoach expert tutor, answers this medical school question:

A 41-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his wife with the complaint confusion. He has hypertension, congestive heart failure, and hemochromatosis. His medications include lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide. The couple recently returned from a trip to the Atlantic Ocean. The patient’s temperature is 39.8 Celsius (102 F), blood pressure is 89/48 mmHg, heart rate is 123/min and regular, and respirations are 23/min. The physical examination reveals a warm erythematous patch on the right lower extremity with an overlying hemorrhagic bullae. What is the most likely diagnosis?

  • Sepsis
  • Septic shock
  • Malignant hyperthermia
  • Pulmonary Embolism
  • Supraventricular tachycardia
Click to Reveal the Correct Answer

Sepsis

Luke Maxfield

Luke obtained his B.S. from the University of Colorado while working at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus department of pathology as a student researcher. He completed studies at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is a current dermatology resident. Luke scored in the 99th percentile on his COMLEX exams.

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