Cervical lymphadenopathy

Jason Hornbuckle is not a happy boy. For the past 4 hours, he has complained of pain when he swallows, He is febrile (temperature 103 degrees) with tender, bilateral, cervical lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes).  has a headache, and has vomited twice. His mother decides to take the seven-year-old to his pediatrician. Upon examining Jason, the nurse finds that Jason’s pharynx, tonsils, and uvula are swollen and erythematous (red) and his tonsils are studded with white areas of exudate.

A Complete Blood Count (cbc) performed on a sample of Jason’s blood reveals that he has a leukocytosis (increased number of WBC) due to a neutrophilia (increased number of neutrophils).

Jason is diagnosed as having acute bacterial pharyngitis and treated
with phenoxymethyl penicillin for five days. A throat swab taken before
starting antibiotics grows beta-hemolytic streptococci (Group A). After three days of treatment, Jason’s temperature has returned to normal and he has made an uneventful recovery.

Questions 

1. Jason’s pharynx, uvula, and tonsils are swollen and red. What are the four cardinal signs of inflammation, and how does each relate to changes in the blood vessels at a site of inflammation?

2. The exudate on Jason’s tonsils consisted primarily of neutrophils, and the cbc that was performed indicated that the number of neutrophils in his circulation was increased. What role do neutrophils play in the resolution of a bacterial infection?

3. It is noted that Jason’s cervical lymph nodes were enlarged, a condition referred to as lymphadenopathy. Describe the structure and function(s) of lymph nodes, and list the other organs and tissues that comprise the lymphatic system.

4. Describe the anatomic location and function of tonsils.

5. Explain some of the steps needed to reduce fever and fight the infection?