1. A 43 year old man who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of his tibial fracture developed fever on the sixth post operative day in the floors. The surgical site is clean. There is no redness, swelling or ooze from the site. The most likely cause for his fever is:
1. Occult surgical site infection
2. Fever due to inflammatory stimulus of surgery
3. Nosocomial infection
4. Delayed Drug induce fever due to inhaled anesthetic

Answer: There are many causes of fever in the first week after surgery. Nosocomial infections are common during this period. Occasionally, fever or other symptoms predate surgery and are manifestations of community-acquired infection, such as a viral upper respiratory tract infection. While surgical site infection and intravascular catheter infections can cause fever acutely, other infections are more frequently identified, including pneumonia and urinary tract infection (UTI).