Question

A 70-year-old with suspected bacterial CAP is admitted. Procalcitonin is 0.05 ng/mL. Should antibiotics be withheld based solely on this value?

Accepted Answer

No; start empiric antibiotics because bacterial pneumonia is suspected clinically and radiographically

Answer

Yes; withhold antibiotics if PCT is low

Answer

Yes; low PCT rules out bacterial infection absolutely

Answer

Start antivirals only

Answer

Repeat PCT in 72 hours without antibiotics

Practice question

A 70-year-old with suspected bacterial CAP is admitted. Procalcitonin is 0.05 ng/mL. Should antibiotics be withheld based solely on this value?