Answer and Explanation 17

17.  Choice C is the correct answer.  This patient is present with a presentation concerning for paraspinous abscess.  This patient has pain out of proportion to what is expected.  In addition with his history of recent back injections and having abnormal vital signs should raise your suspicion.  Admitting the patient to the hospital may seem like a good solution, but delay in the diagnosis and therapeutic intervention can lead to irreversible neurologic damage.  Patients who cannot walk or have abnormal vitals signs should not be discharged from the hospital.