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Influenza pneumonia — SCE Acute Medicine MCQ

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EasyAcute Respiratory PresentationsInfluenza pneumoniaSCE Acute Medicine

A 82-year-old woman presents with acute breathlessness with chest symptoms. Relevant history includes respiratory disease and a relevant acute precipitant. On assessment, respiratory distress is present with abnormal oxygenation. Investigations show PCR-positive influenza with hypoxaemic viral pneumonitis in a high-risk patient. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

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Correct answer: C — Start oseltamivir and supportive oxygen therapy

The key discriminator is that PCR-positive influenza with hypoxaemic viral pneumonitis in a high-risk patient, which makes Start oseltamivir and supportive oxygen therapy the single best answer. Arrange urgent CT imaging is less appropriate because it does not address the dominant acute risk in the vignette; Arrange routine outpatient follow-up would fit a different presentation or later stage of care. Provide supportive care and close monitoring and Give analgesia and antiemetic therapy are suboptimal because they would either delay time-critical treatment or follow the wrong acute pathway. Teaching point: SCE-style acute medicine questions usually test prioritisation using physiology, timing and a guideline-defined threshold, rather than isolated factual recall.

Reference: UKHSA influenza guidance; BNF