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Community-acquired pneumonia — SCE Respiratory MCQ

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EasyRespiratory infectionsCommunity-acquired pneumoniaSCE Respiratory

A 79-year-old man presents with fever, productive cough and confusion. Respiratory rate is 32/min, blood pressure 88/54 mmHg, urea is 9.8 mmol/L and chest radiograph shows right lower-lobe consolidation. He has no penicillin allergy and lives independently. Oxygen saturation is 91% on air. What is the most appropriate management?

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Correct answer: B — Admit and treat as high-severity pneumonia

The CURB-65 features indicate high-severity community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospital treatment and prompt antibiotics. Viral treatment alone is inadequate with lobar consolidation and sepsis physiology. Severity scoring supports but does not replace clinical judgement.

Reference: BTS CAP Guideline; NICE antimicrobial prescribing pneumonia guidance: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng245/chapter/recommendations