Fever and Hyperthermia (Assessment & Diagnosis) — 2mo Boy | Pediatric Infectious | MCCQE1 Q#12132

MCCQE1 Question #12132

Dimension of Care

Acute Care

Activity

Assessment & Diagnosis

Objective

Fever and Hyperthermia

Section

Pediatrics

Subject

Pediatric Infectious

Last updated: February 2026
A 2-month-old boy is brought to the emergency department because of 12 hours of poor feeding and increasing sleepiness. He was previously well and born at term without complications. On examination, he is hypotonic and difficult to arouse, and the anterior fontanelle is full and bulging. There is no focal rash, and capillary refill is 2 seconds. You suspect bacterial meningitis. What is the most appropriate definitive diagnostic investigation?
Full answer analysis and choices are available inside the practice session.