Decision
Does the patient have neurologic symptoms?
Yes → Obtain x-ray of the spine and laboratory studies
Background
Laboratory studies:
- Complete blood cell count with differential
- Complete metabolic panel
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- C-reactive protein
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- Lactate dehydrogenase
- Blood culture (if febrile or history of fevers)
No neurologic symptoms