North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

What can be a consequence of TSS if left untreated?

1. Prolonged headache

2. Severe fluid retention

3. Death within a week

4. Chronic abdominal pain

The correct answer is: Death within a week

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a severe, life-threatening condition often associated with certain bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. If left untreated, TSS can lead to multiple organ failure and can progress rapidly, resulting in death within a week. The condition is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, rash, low blood pressure, and multi-system involvement, which can escalate quickly if medical intervention is not sought. The other options, while they may present as issues related to other medical conditions, are not as directly linked or acutely severe in the context of untreated TSS. Prolonged headache and chronic abdominal pain might occur in various conditions, but they do not represent the immediate and severe consequences that characterize untreated Toxic Shock Syndrome. Severe fluid retention is also not a primary outcome associated with TSS in the absence of treatment. Thus, the most accurate and critical consequence of untreated TSS is the risk of death, making that the correct answer.