Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

Which symptom is most associated with Salmonella infection after eating contaminated food?

1. Severe headache

2. High fever over 104°F

3. Abdominal cramps

4. Chronic fatigue

The correct answer is: Abdominal cramps

Salmonella infection, commonly associated with foodborne illnesses, particularly manifests with gastrointestinal symptoms. Abdominal cramps are a hallmark of this type of infection, as the bacteria invade the intestines and disrupt normal digestive function. These cramps arise due to inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract as the body responds to the infection. While severe headache, high fever, and chronic fatigue can occur with various infections, they are not defining symptoms of Salmonella infection. High fever may accompany some cases, particularly if the infection is systemic, but it is not as consistently reported in typical foodborne infections as abdominal cramps. Chronic fatigue is a vague symptom that could relate to numerous conditions and does not specifically indicate Salmonella infection. Recognizing abdominal cramps as a key symptom helps in diagnosing and managing the infection appropriately.