Question

A 68 year old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presents with increased breathlessness, sputum volume and sputum purulence over 3 days. He is afebrile, oxygen saturation is 93 percent on air and chest examination is unchanged from baseline. According to NICE antimicrobial guidance, what is the most appropriate approach to antibiotics in this exacerbation?

Accepted Answer

Do not offer antibiotics routinely; consider them only if there are signs of more severe illness or high risk of complications

Answer

Prescribe broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics for all exacerbations

Answer

Always prescribe 7 days of oral Amoxicillin regardless of severity

Answer

Give a single dose of intramuscular Benzylpenicillin

Answer

Prescribe long term prophylactic Macrolide for all patients with COPD

Practice question