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Severe community-acquired pneumonia — RCPSC IM MCQ

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HardRespirologySevere community-acquired pneumoniaRCPSC IM

A 67-year-old man with COPD presents with fever, purulent sputum and confusion. Respiratory rate is 34/min, blood pressure is 86/52 mm Hg after fluids, urea is 14 mmol/L, oxygen saturation is 88 percent on 6 L, and chest radiograph shows multilobar infiltrates. What is the most appropriate next step?

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Correct answer: E — Admit to ICU and start empiric severe community-acquired pneumonia antibiotics promptly

Severe pneumonia with shock, hypoxemia, tachypnea, confusion and multilobar disease requires ICU-level care and prompt empiric antibiotics adapted to local resistance and risk factors.

Reference: AMMI Canada antimicrobial stewardship; Canadian severe CAP practice