Organ System Pathology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 19-year-old college student presents to the emergency department with fever (39.8°C), hypotension (82/54 mmHg), tachycardia (128 bpm), and tachypnea (22 bpm). A rapidly progressive petechial rash covers his trunk and extremities. Blood cultures remain pending. Despite aggressive fluid resuscitation and vasopressor support, he remains in refractory shock. Meningeal signs are absent. He deteriorates and dies within 6 hours. Autopsy reveals bilateral adrenal hemorrhage with necrosis. Which organism is most classically associated with this fulminant sepsis syndrome?
Answer choices
- AStreptococcus pneumoniae
- BHaemophilus influenzae
- CPseudomonas aeruginosa
- DStaphylococcus aureus
- ENeisseria meningitidisCorrect answer
- FVibrio vulnificus
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