Step II U WOrld Infective Endocarditis question

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medInUSA

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15+ Year Member
42 yr old dude comes to the ER complains of 2 week of weakness, low grade fever, and exertional shortness of breath. He also notes fingertip pain and urine that has been dark and cloudy recently. ON physical exam, several of his proximal interphalangeal joints are swollen. Which of the following diagnosis is most consistent with presentation:


A) infective endocarditis
B) RA
C) Post strep glomerulonephritis

answer A


He does not meet the diagnostic criteria.
For dx we need 2 major, 1 major and 3 minor, or 5 minor criteria.

He's got no major criteria: no + blood cultures and no abnormal echo

IN terms of minor criteria he's got 3 and that's it!!!???:
1) fever
2) glomerulonephritis
3) painful fingertips (osler's nodes)

he's also got arthritis in his PIP and the explanation says that his arthritis may be due to immune complex deposition, however that's not one of the criteria.

Also he's got exertional shortness of Breath for two weeks but again that's not one of the criteria.

So he's got 3 minor criteria and that's it!! he doesn't have the 5 required for diagnosis.

Am I missing something here???
 
ummm you remind me of me when i am doing u world at times

Reread the question it does not say diagnosis

It said the presentation is most consistent with which diagnosis

Like what do you have in mind once u send the patient's bllod culture and echo

the likely diagnosis you have in mind
ECHO and Blood cultures will confirm the diagnosis
 
I am just wondering what you thought it might be out of the choices given? It seems like clear cut IE. They don't have to give you all the criteria in order to make a diagnosis if nothing else fits. For instance:

An object has hair, eyes, and moves. What is this most consistent with?

a) rock
b) snake
c) mouse
d) lamp
e) car

Sure, the criteria don't spell out mouse. But it's multiple choice, so use that to your advantage.