On postoperative day 5, an otherwise healthy 55-year-old man recovering from a paial hepatectomy is noted to have a fever of 38.6degC (101.5degF). Which of the following is the most common nosocomial infection postoperatively?

The most common nosocomial infection is a urinary tract infection. Treatment consists of removal of an indwelling catheter as soon as possible and antibiotic therapy for cultures with greater than 100,000 CFU/mL. Pneumonias, wound infections, intra-abdominal abscesses, and catheter-related bloodstream infections are also all causes of nosocomial infections, and a workup of a postoperative fever should also include careful examination of the patient and other diagnostic tests as appropriate (chest x-ray, blood cultures, abdominal/pelvic CT scan).