American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test 2025 - Free Pathology Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

The situation described suggests a likely infection or complication that has arisen after the liver biopsy, especially given the timing of the symptoms—elevated white blood cell (WBC) count and fever occurring 5 days post-procedure. The presence of fever and elevated WBC count typically indicates an inflammatory process, which, in the context of a recent liver biopsy, raises the suspicion for an abscess.

An abscess can develop due to a variety of reasons post-bioasy, including microbial infection at the site of the biopsy, potentially introducing bacteria into deeper tissues. This possibility is particularly high in the liver, where procedures may inadvertently lead to a localized infection and subsequent formation of pus-filled cavities. Furthermore, the timing corresponds well with the expected onset of symptoms from an infectious process following a procedure like a liver biopsy.

While other conditions such as hepatitis or cholecystitis might also cause elevated WBC counts and fever, they do not correspond as directly to the recent procedure. Additionally, pneumonia is unlikely to be the primary concern in this context, particularly without respiratory symptoms or history suggesting a pulmonary process. Thus, given the specific details, the likelihood of a post-biopsy abscess forming is the most fitting explanation for the patient's symptoms.