11-12-2011, 06:28 AM
Two weeks after a 4 day bout of gastroenteritis, a man develops burning sensations in his toes. The following day, he experiences weakness in both legs. The weakness in his legs progresses to involve his arms 3 days later. On examination, you note facial flushing, systolic blood pressures ranging from 70 to 160, profuse diaphoresis, and bilateral facial paralysis. Lumbar puncture reveals a normal white cell count and elevated protein. He is treated with plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin and steadily recovers completely in 3 months. The type of hypersensitivity reaction that caused this patient's condition is most similarly described by which of the following:
A. A 2nd year medical student returns to the student health center 48 hours after PPD placement and is told that her PPD test is positive
B. Within minutes of anastamosis, a transplanted kidney becomes cyanotic and mottled
C. A 43 year old obese woman with a fasting blood sugar of 220 mg/dL begins treatment with metformin
D. Moments after being stung by a bee, a young girl begins wheezing and develops hives
E. Three days after taking penicillin, a patient develops fever, hives, arthralgias, lymphadenopathy, and eosinophilia