Question

You are dispatched to a residence for a young female who is sick. The patient complains of a rash to her lower extremities and truncal area. Your assessment reveals a small, painful blister on her inner thigh. As your partner is taking the patient's vital signs, she states that she and her family returned from a camping trip 2 days ago. On the basis of this patient's presentation, you should suspect ______.

1) Lyme disease
2) an allergic reaction
3) exposure to poison ivy
4) Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Answer 1

Based on the patient's presentation, the most likely suspect is Lyme disease, which is commonly associated with a distinctive bulls-eye rash, flu-like symptoms, and joint pain and swelling.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the patient's presentation of a small, painful blister on her inner thigh and a rash on her lower extremities and truncal area, combined with the information that she and her family returned from a camping trip 2 days ago, the most likely suspect is Lyme disease. Lyme disease is commonly associated with a distinctive bulls-eye rash, flu-like symptoms, and joint pain and swelling. It is important to note that not all patients with Lyme disease develop the characteristic rash.