Endotracheal intubation increases a patient's susceptibility to which of the following common pathogens?

a. Pneumocystis ca-rinii c. Staphylococcus au-reus
b. Neisseria meningiti-dis d. Streptococcus pneumoniae

ANS: C
Endotracheal intubation increases a patient's susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus, as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae species, and Candida. Pneumocystis carinii is common in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Patients with systemic lupus er-ythematosus, liver failure, or vasculitis are susceptible to Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae.