Solved

A 65-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Emergency Department Due to Worsening

question 84

Multiple Choice

A 65-year-old woman comes to the emergency department due to worsening cough and difficulty breathing. The patient had similar symptoms a month ago and was found to have right-sided pneumonia. The symptoms resolved with antibiotic treatment but recurred 2 days ago. During the previous hospitalization, the patient also reported progressive muscle weakness and fatigue of several months' duration. She subsequently underwent muscle biopsy, which revealed dermatomyositis; oral prednisone therapy was initiated 2 weeks ago. She still has significant muscle weakness. The patient also has had poor oral intake and frequent coughing while eating, and has lost 6.8 kg (15 lb) over the last 3 months. The patient feels mildly depressed but has had no suicidal ideation. She is a lifelong nonsmoker and does not drink alcohol.
Temperature is 38.6 C (101.5 F) , blood pressure is 122/78 mm Hg, pulse is 89/min, and respirations are 20/min. Bronchial breath sounds and rhonchi are present over the right lung base. Muscle strength is moderately decreased in the proximal muscles. There is a scaly skin rash over the extensor surfaces of both hands.
Laboratory results are as follows:
Chest x-ray shows a right lower lobe lung infiltrate.
Which of the following is most likely responsible for this patient's pulmonary symptoms?

Definitions:

Inventory

Items held by a company for the purpose of sale or production, including raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods.

Production Supervisory Salaries

The wages paid to personnel responsible for overseeing and managing the production process within a manufacturing or production facility.

Interest Costs

Interest costs are the expenses incurred by borrowing funds, calculated as the interest rate multiplied by the principal amount of the debt.