A Young, Previously Healthy Adult Clinic Patient Reports Symptoms of Pneumonia

A young, previously healthy adult clinic patient reports symptoms of pneumonia including high fever and cough. Auscultation reveals rales in the left lower lobe. A chest radiograph is normal. The patient is unable to expectorate sputum. Which treatment is recommended for this patient?

A) A B-lactam antibiotic plus a fluoroquinolone
B) A respiratory fluoroquinolone antibiotic
C) Empirical treatment with a macrolide antibiotic
D) Hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics