A 20-Year-Old Man Is Brought to the Emergency Department Due

A 20-year-old man is brought to the emergency department due to fever, headache, and neck pain for the last day.  He has no significant medical history.  Temperature is 38.7 C (101.7 F) , blood pressure is 120/72 mm Hg, pulse is 112/min, and respirations are 26/min.  There is neck stiffness and a petechial rash on the trunk.  Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis reveals the following: CSF gram stain shows gram-negative diplococci.  In the emergency department, the patient's hemodynamic status deteriorates rapidly.  Blood pressure drops to 80/50 mm Hg, and the venous access sites are oozing blood.  Which of the following findings is most likely to be seen on this patient's peripheral blood smear?

A) Atypical lymphocytosis
B) Howell-Jolly bodies
C) Hypersegmented neutrophils
D) Reactive thrombocytosis
E) Schistocytes
F) Severe pancytopenia

Correct Answer:

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