A 20-year-old female attending college is found unconscious in her dorm room. She has a fever and a noticeable rash. She has just been admitted to the hospital. Which of the following tests is most likely to be performed first?
A. Blood sugar check
B. CT scan
C. Blood cultures
D. Arterial blood gases
Correct Answer: C. Blood cultures
Blood cultures would be performed to investigate the fever and rash symptoms. A blood culture is a test that checks for foreign invaders like bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms in the blood. Having these pathogens in the bloodstream can be a sign of a blood infection, a condition known as bacteremia. A positive blood culture means that there are bacteria in the blood.
Option A: Blood sugar check is necessary for clients who are suspected of having an increase in blood sugar and whose symptoms include excessive thirst and hunger, and excessive sweating.
Option B: CT scan is unnecessary at the time for a client with fever and rash. A computerized tomography (CT) scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around the body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues inside the body. CT scan images provide more detailed information than plain X-rays do.
Option D: An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood. It also measures the body’s acid-base (pH) level, which is usually in balance when healthy.