Knee osteoarthritis — CCFP MCQ
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Correct answer: B — Obtain synovial fluid and blood cultures, then start empiric intravenous antibiotics
Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as E
A is correct. Septic arthritis is limb- and life-threatening; in a stable patient, immediate aspiration and cultures should precede prompt empiric antibiotics without meaningful delay. B assumes gout despite systemic features. C suppresses immunity and ignores possible coexisting crystals and infection. D uses a nondiagnostic serum test. E delays source sampling and treatment. Orthopedic drainage strategy follows the clinical and synovial findings.
Reference: HealthLink BC: Infectious arthritis: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/infectious-arthritis Alberta Precision Laboratories: Joint-fluid culture collection: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/webapps/labservices/indexAPL.asp?details=true&id=9631&tests=&zoneid=1