A 56-year-old social worker has fever, facial pain, and purulent nasal discharge for 6 days. What condition should the nurse practitioner suspect?

The symptoms described—fever, facial pain, and purulent nasal discharge—are characteristic of acute rhinosinusitis. This condition, often resulting from a viral infection following a cold, can lead to inflammation and blockage of the sinuses. The presence of purulent discharge suggests a bacterial infection, which is common in acute cases. Additionally, the fever and facial pain are indicative of the body responding to this infection.

For context, a dental abscess typically presents with localized dental pain and swelling, not the systemic symptoms of fever and purulent discharge. Chronic rhinosinusitis, on the other hand, usually involves more prolonged symptoms lasting beyond 12 weeks, often including nasal obstruction and hyposmia rather than acute fever and severe pain. A nasal tumor would more likely cause unilateral symptoms, obstruction, or other chronic signs rather than a clear presentation of an acute infection. Therefore, acute rhinosinusitis is the most fitting diagnosis for this patient's presentation.