A 30-Year-Old Man Is Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

A 30-year-old man is admitted to the intensive care unit after his wife found him unconscious at home.  She says that he has lost a significant amount of weight recently despite no significant change in dietary habits.  Laboratory studies show a serum pH of 7.1 and positive serum ketones.  His mucus membranes are extremely dry.  Treatment is initiated, and the patient's condition improves.  However, he now has fever, headache, and eye pain.  Examination of the nasal cavity shows a black necrotic eschar adherent to the inferior turbinate.  Which of the following procedures would most likely reveal the pathogen responsible for this patient's infection?

A) Blood cultures
B) Lumbar puncture
C) Mucosal biopsy
D) Ophthalmoscopy
E) Serologic testing
F) Skin hypersensitivity test

Correct Answer:

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