What is the likely diagnosis for a 32-year-old patient with fever, night sweats, and a swollen cervical lymph node accompanied by mediastinal adenopathy?

Prepare for the Adult–Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP) Test. Practice with comprehensive quizzes, gain confidence with detailed explanations, and excel in your exam!

The presence of fever, night sweats, and swollen cervical lymph nodes, along with mediastinal adenopathy, raises suspicion for lymphoma, particularly Hodgkin's lymphoma. This malignancy is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells in the lymphatic tissue and commonly presents with the B symptoms of fever, night sweats, and weight loss. The involvement of cervical lymph nodes and mediastinal adenopathy is also typical in Hodgkin's lymphoma.

In contrast, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can also present similarly, but the defining characteristics and common presentations are distinct from Hodgkin’s. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia typically involves more insidious symptomatology related to peripheral blood changes and looks different on a peripheral smear, while acute myeloid leukemia often presents with signs of bone marrow failure without the specific symptomatic pattern seen in lymphoma cases. Therefore, based on the symptom profile and expected findings, Hodgkin's lymphoma is the most consistent diagnosis for this patient scenario.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy