What symptom indicates the presence of an infection in a patient receiving immunosuppressive therapy?

The presence of hypotension and tachycardia in a patient receiving immunosuppressive therapy is indicative of a possible infection. Immunocompromised patients are at a heightened risk for infections due to their weakened immune system. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, may result from sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection that can lead to organ failure. Tachycardia, or increased heart rate, often occurs as the body tries to compensate for reduced blood flow or oxygen delivery associated with infection.

In patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, these symptoms can signal a serious condition requiring immediate evaluation and intervention. Monitoring vital signs is crucial in these situations, as early recognition of sepsis can be life-saving. Other symptoms mentioned, such as increased leukocytes or lesions on the skin, can be indications of infection but are not as directly correlated with the critical state that hypotension and tachycardia suggest in an immunocompromised individual. Aromatic smelling urine may indicate a urinary tract infection, but it does not provide a comprehensive assessment of systemic infection and is less critical when gauging the immediate seriousness of the patient's condition.