Bacterial Infections USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 71-year-old man presents with fever (38.9°C), malaise, and a new cardiac murmur. Vital signs show BP 128/76, HR 104, RR 18, SpO2 98% on room air. Blood cultures grow group D, gamma-hemolytic gram-positive cocci that do not grow in 6.5% NaCl. Transoesophageal echocardiography reveals 8-mm vegetations on the aortic valve. He denies recent dental procedures. Which additional evaluation is most appropriate?
Answer choices
- AHIV viral load measurement
- BMRI of the brain for temporal lobe lesions
- CCT scan of the chest to assess for cavitary lesions
- DColonoscopyCorrect answer
- ESerum cryoglobulin testing
- FTransesophageal echocardiography of the right heart chambers
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