Question

An 18 year old female has a chief complaint of a "sore throat and swollen glands" for the past 3 days. Her physical examination includes a temperature of 101, exudative pharyngitis, and tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy. Right and left upper quadrant abdominal tenderness is absent. The most likely diagnosis is______.

Answer 1

The most likely diagnosis for the 18-year-old female's symptoms is streptococcal pharyngitis or strep throat.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely diagnosis for an 18-year-old female with a sore throat, swollen glands, a temperature of 101, exudative pharyngitis, and tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy, without upper quadrant abdominal tenderness, is streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat).

The absence of right and left upper quadrant abdominal tenderness helps to rule out conditions like infectious mononucleosis, which typically includes splenomegaly. The signs and symptoms she is presenting with - fever, a sore throat with possible white patches (exudates), and swollen lymph nodes - are classic indicators of strep throat.