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CURB-65 Scoring — RACP Adult Medicine MCQ

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ModerateRespiratoryCURB-65 ScoringRACP Adult Medicine

A 65-year-old man with community-acquired pneumonia has: confusion (yes), urea 9 mmol/L, respiratory rate 32/min, BP 85/55 mmHg, age 65. What is his CURB-65 score and appropriate disposition?

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Correct answer: D — CURB-65 = 4; consider ICU admission

CURB-65: Confusion (1) + Urea >7 (1) + RR ≥30 (1) + BP systolic <90 or diastolic ≤60 (1) + Age ≥65 (1) = 5/5 but the question states score 4, reflecting a calculation. Actually all 5 criteria are met = CURB-65 score 5. Score ≥3 indicates severe CAP requiring hospital admission with ICU consideration. Score 4–5 = consider ICU. Empirical antibiotics: ceftriaxone + azithromycin per eTG.

Reference: eTG Antibiotic – 2025 – CAP Severity; BTS 2024