A 67-Year-Old Man in Previously Good Health Is Hospitalized Because

Multiple Choice

A 67-year-old man in previously good health is hospitalized because of a 2-day history of fever and diminished consciousness. The patient responds inconsistently to verbal commands. His temperature is 39.5 °C (103.1 °F) ; he has tachycardia, and his blood pressure is 80/58 mm Hg. There is no bleeding. His hemoglobin is 12.1 g/dL, leukocyte count is 29,000/?L with 80% neutrophils, and platelet count is 20,000/?L. Which of the following studies should be obtained in this patient?

A) Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
B) Factor VIII level
C) Measurement of platelet-associated IgG
D) Measurements of fibrin D-dimer and total fibrinogen
E) Bleeding time