A 16-Year-Old Boy Is Brought to the Emergency Department Due

question 262

Multiple Choice

A 16-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department due to 3 weeks of progressive shortness of breath during physical activity.  The patient stopped playing golf 2 weeks ago after he became short of breath while walking the course.  He also feels more tired and weaker than usual.  The patient has had no rash, cough, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or fever.  His medical history is notable for sickle cell disease; he has had a few hospitalizations for pain crises and an episode of acute chest syndrome.  The most recent hospitalization was 6 months ago.  The patient's only medication is oxycodone, which he takes intermittently for pain.  Temperature is 36.7 C (98.1 F) , blood pressure is 120/70 mm Hg, pulse is 120/min, and respirations are 18/min.  Examination shows a tired-appearing but comfortable adolescent with conjunctival pallor.  Laboratory results reveal: Which of the following is the most likely underlying mechanism for this patient's laboratory findings?

• A)Adverse drug reaction
• B)Aplastic crisis
• C)Folate deficiency
• D)Hyperhemolytic crisis
• E)Splenic sequestration

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Definitions:

Inductive Inferences

The logical process of deriving general principles from specific observations or instances.

Eighth Grade

An educational level typically attended by students aged 13-14, marking the end of middle school in many education systems.

Working Memory Span

The capacity of working memory, indicating the amount of information one can hold and manipulate in mind for short periods.

3-Year-Old

A reference to children around the age of three, often used in developmental psychology to discuss milestones and behavioral patterns.