A 24 year old was seen at a clinic with a chief complaint of weight loss and fever.  A complete blood count confirmed he was anemic.  Multiple skin lesions were present on his arms with some developing draining pus.  A gram stain of the pus revealed what appeared to be yeast-like cells.  A culture of the pus grew a green mold, which produced a red soluble pigment on the agar.  The most likely causative agent is (M60-17, 21; Level 3):

Reagents for the direct examination of skin, hair, and nails should contain ________ for digestion of keratin (M58-14; Level 1):

A culture of an infected hair that broke off close to the scalp produces a wine-red reverse on culture.  Microscopically, rare macroconidia are seen with numerous microconidia that vary in size and shape, that are perpendicular to the hyphae  The organism produces an intense red color on PDA.  The organism which causes this infection is (M59-17, 21; Level 3)

A 32 yr old man is employed in foreign services and had recently been assigned to Africa.  After a few months, he began complaining of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.  He admitted to frequently eating locally grown watercress.  An ova and parasite exam showed a large operculated and embryonated helminth eggs.  What is the first intermediate host for this organism (M55-4, 10, 11; Level 3)?

Fungi that infect man which are “thermo-dimorphic” show the following characteristic (M63-1; Level 2):

The following best describes the Microsporum species (M60-17; Level 2):

Which of the following is the recommended method of treatment for an Echinococcus granulosus cyst infection (M54-8; Level 2)?

A 21 yr old female who emigrated from Mexico 3 yrs ago had a seizure.  Previous to this seizure, the female was described as being in generally good health.  A neurological exam demonstrated no focal findings but, upon a CT scan of the head, numerous cysts were noted.  The CSF demonstrated an increased lymphocytes count, a glucose level of 63 mg/dl, and a protein level of 36 mg/dL.  Which of the following is the most likely causative agent (M53-4, 8; Level 3)?

The following best describes the Microsporum species (M60-17; Level 2):

The nurse is caring for a 40-year-old male client following a motor vehicle accident with multiple fractures who has a morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump to manage pain. The nurse witnesses a family member pushing your client’s PCA button as the client sleeps. What of the following actions should be the nurse’s priority?