A 72-year-old with community-acquired pneumonia is orientated, has urea 6.5 mmol/L, respiratory rate 24/min and blood pressure 128/72 mmHg. CURB65 is

Question

A 72-year-old with community-acquired pneumonia is orientated, has urea 6.5 mmol/L, respiratory rate 24/min and blood pressure 128/72 mmHg. CURB65 is therefore 1, but oxygen saturation is 82% on air and lactate is 4.1 mmol/L. What is the best disposition?

Accepted Answer

Arrange urgent hospital treatment and senior assessment for possible organ support

Answer

Begin hospital treatment and repeat lactate before deciding whether senior review is needed

Answer

Use an ambulatory pathway after oxygen corrects saturation, with same-day clinical reassessment

Answer

Admit to a general medical bed and manage according to the low CURB65 category

Answer

Use a second pneumonia score to determine whether critical-care referral is justified

Hodgkin lymphoma — UKMLA MCQ

A 72-year-old with community-acquired pneumonia is orientated, has urea 6.5 mmol/L, respiratory rate 24/min and blood pressure 128/72 mmHg. CURB65 is therefore 1, but oxygen saturation is 82% on air and lactate is 4.1 mmol/L. What is the best disposition?