A 70-Year-Old Man Is Hospitalized Due to Abrupt-Onset, Severe Left

A 70-year-old man is hospitalized due to abrupt-onset, severe left thigh pain with no preceding trauma.  Temperature is 38.9 C (102 F) , blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg, pulse is 120/min, and respirations are 24/min.  Left thigh examination shows diffuse swelling with dusky skin discoloration and several bullae filled with hemorrhagic fluid.  There is significant tenderness and crepitus on palpation.  Gram staining of the bullae fluid reveals numerous gram-positive rods, and subsequent culture grows Clostridium septicum.  Which of the following is the greatest risk factor for this patient's current condition?

A) Colonic malignancy
B) Hemochromatosis
C) Indwelling vascular catheter
D) Multiple myeloma
E) Recent antibiotic use

Correct Answer:

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