Your patient with community-acquired pneumonia shows a pleural effusion on chest x-ray,indicating the need for:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A pleural effusion in a patient with community-acquired pneumonia suggests the possibility of empyema, which is a collection of pus in the pleural space. Therefore, thoracentesis is necessary to obtain pleural fluid for analysis, including testing for bacterial infection and possible drainage. However, immediate endotracheal intubation or broad-spectrum antibiotics might be necessary depending on the severity of the patient's condition. Gram stain and culture of sputum may also be useful in identifying the infectious agent responsible for the pneumonia, but they do not address the immediate concern of the pleural effusion.

Your Patient with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Shows a Pleural Effusion on Chest