Question 1

Adults with pneumonia who are responding to antimicrobial therapy should show improvement in their clinical status in:&#10;A) 12 to 24 hours&#10;B) 24 to 36 hours&#10;C) 48 to 72 hours&#10;D) 4 or 5 days&#10;

Accepted Answer

Adults with pneumonia who are responding to antimicrobial therapy should show improvement in their clinical status within 48 to 72 hours. While some improvement may be seen in the first 24 to 36 hours, it is important to wait at least 48 hours to ensure adequate response to treatment. If there is no improvement or worsening of symptoms after 72 hours, reevaluation and possible modification of the treatment plan is necessary.

Question 2

Giselle is a 14-year-old patient who presents to the clinic with symptoms consistent with mycoplasma pneumonia. What is the treatment for suspected mycoplasma pneumonia in an adolescent?&#10;A) Ceftriaxone&#10;B) Azithromycin&#10;C) Ciprofloxacin&#10;D) Levofloxacin&#10;

Accepted Answer

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic and is considered the treatment of choice for suspected mycoplasma pneumonia in adolescents. Ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin are not typically used as first-line treatments for mycoplasma pneumonia.

Question 3

The first-line antibiotic choice for a patient with comorbidities or who is immunosuppressed who has pneumonia and can be treated as an outpatient would be:&#10;A) Levofloxacin&#10;B) Amoxicillin&#10;C) Ciprofloxacin&#10;D) Cephalexin&#10;

Accepted Answer

Levofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can effectively treat community-acquired pneumonia in patients with comorbidities or who are immunosuppressed. It covers a wide range of bacteria commonly responsible for pneumonia and has a high bioavailability, meaning it can be taken orally instead of intravenously. Amoxicillin is typically reserved for patients without comorbidities or immunosuppression, and ciprofloxacin may increase the risk of severe side effects in this population. Cephalexin is not typically used to treat pneumonia.

Question 4

Samantha is 34 weeks pregnant and has been diagnosed with pneumonia. She is stable enough to be treated as an outpatient. What would be an appropriate antibiotic to prescribe?&#10;A) Levofloxacin&#10;B) Azithromycin&#10;C) Amoxicillin&#10;D) Doxycycline&#10;

Accepted Answer

Azithromycin is a safe and effective antibiotic for pregnant women with mild to moderate pneumonia. It has a low risk of adverse effects on the fetus and is commonly used in pregnancy for respiratory infections. Levofloxacin and doxycycline are not recommended in pregnancy due to potential harm to the fetus, and amoxicillin may not be effective for pneumonia caused by atypical bacteria.

Question 5

The first-line drug choice for a previously healthy adult patient diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia would be:&#10;A) Ciprofloxacin&#10;B) Azithromycin&#10;C) Amoxicillin&#10;D) Doxycycline&#10;

Accepted Answer

Azithromycin is the recommended initial antibiotic for previously healthy adults with community-acquired pneumonia as per Infectious Diseases Society of America and American Thoracic Society guidelines. It has good activity against the most common pathogens responsible for community-acquired pneumonia and good oral bioavailability.

Question 6

Along with prescribing antibiotics, adults with pneumonia should be instructed on lifestyle modifications to improve outcomes, including:&#10;A) Adequate fluid intake&#10;B) Increased fiber intake&#10;C) Bedrest for the first 24 hours&#10;D) All of the above&#10;

Accepted Answer

Adequate fluid intake helps to thin out mucus and makes it easier to cough up, while increased fiber intake is not necessarily relevant for pneumonia. Bedrest is also not necessary beyond the first day of treatment, as it is important for patients to move around and take deep breaths to prevent complications such as pneumonia.

Question 7

The most common bacterial pathogen in community-acquired pneumonia is:&#10;A) Haemophilus influenzae&#10;B) Staphylococcus aureus&#10;C) Mycoplasma pneumoniae&#10;D) Streptococcus pneumoniae&#10;

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial pathogen in community-acquired pneumonia. Other causative agents include Haemophilus influenzae, atypical bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae, and less commonly, Staphylococcus aureus.

Question 8

Wing-Sing is a 4-year-old patient who has suspected bacterial pneumonia. He has a temperature of 102°F, oxygen saturation level of 95%, and is taking fluids adequately. What would be appropriate initial treatment for his pneumonia?

A) Ceftriaxone
B) Azithromycin
C) Cephalexin
D) Levofloxacin

Accepted Answer

Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is commonly used as an initial treatment for suspected bacterial pneumonia in children, especially when hospitalization is required. It covers a wide range of bacteria that are common causes of pneumonia in this age group.

Question 9

If an adult patient with comorbidities cannot reliably take oral antibiotics to treat pneumonia, an appropriate initial treatment option would be:&#10;A) IV or IM gentamicin&#10;B) IV or IM ceftriaxone&#10;C) IV amoxicillin&#10;D) IV ciprofloxacin&#10;

Accepted Answer

IV or IM ceftriaxone is a suitable initial treatment option for an adult patient with comorbidities who cannot reliably take oral antibiotics to treat pneumonia. Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can effectively treat bacterial pneumonia, and it can be administered intravenously or intramuscularly, making it a good choice for patients who cannot take oral antibiotics. Gentamicin and ciprofloxacin may also be effective for treating pneumonia, but they are typically used in conjunction with another antibiotic and may have a higher risk of adverse effects. Amoxicillin is not typically used to treat pneumonia in adults and would not be an appropriate choice.

Question 10

John is a 4-week-old infant who has been diagnosed with chlamydial pneumonia. An appropriate treatment for his pneumonia would be:&#10;A) Levofloxacin&#10;B) Amoxicillin&#10;C) Erythromycin&#10;D) Cephalexin&#10;

Accepted Answer

Erythromycin is the drug of choice for treatment of chlamydial pneumonia in infants. Levofloxacin, Amoxicillin, and Cephalexin are not recommended for this type of pneumonia.

Deck 42: Pneumonia