A 68-year-old with pneumonia has improved but remains mildly tachycardic. He has completed 5 days of antibiotics and is afebrile, normotensive, tolera...

Question

A 68-year-old with pneumonia has improved but remains mildly tachycardic. He has completed 5 days of antibiotics and is afebrile, normotensive, tolerating PO. What guides stopping therapy?

Accepted Answer

Stop when clinical stability achieved; 5 days minimum

Answer

Continue to 14 days

Answer

Stop only when CRP normal

Answer

Stop only when procalcitonin

Answer

Add steroids to shorten therapy

us-usmle-step-2 MCQ (SBA): Community-Acquired Pneumonia

A 68-year-old with pneumonia has improved but remains mildly tachycardic. He has completed 5 days of antibiotics and is afebrile, normotensive, tolerating PO. What guides stopping therapy?