12 Hours Of Fever, Chills, And Malaise | Fever and Hyperthermia (Management) — 56yo Woman | Hematology | MCCQE1 Q#13399

MCCQE1 Question #13399

Dimension of Care

Acute Care

Activity

Management

Objective

Fever and Hyperthermia

Section

Medicine / Family Medicine

Subject

Hematology

Last updated: February 2026
A 56-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis on methotrexate and recent rituximab presents with 12 hours of fever, chills, and malaise. Nine days ago, she completed chemotherapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. She denies cough, dysuria, abdominal pain, or rash. On exam, she appears ill and pale, with dry oral mucosa and no focal source of infection. After drawing blood cultures in the emergency department, what is the most appropriate next step in management?
Full answer analysis and choices are available inside the practice session.