A59-year-old woman who lives independently and had been healthy, presents to the emergency department with cough and fever. She related she was well until 2 days before when she noted onset of fever, chills, and cough productive of yellow sputum. On examination, you note a tired appearing woman with BP of 160/90, pulse of 105, and respiratory rate of 32. You start her on ceftriaxone and azithromycin and admit her to the hospital. Which of the following factors is a poor prognostic sign in community acquired pneumonia?
- age less than 60
- systolic BP = 160 mmHg
- leukocytosis = 15,000
- respiratory rate = 32
- mycoplasma pneumonia infected
Answer(s): D
Explanation:
Respiratory rate >30 is a poor prognostic sign in community-acquired pneumonia. Other patient factors include age greater than 65 years, coexisting illness such as cancer, liver disease, congestive heart failure (CHF), renal disease, systolic BP less than 90 mmHg, temperature greater than 40°C. Laboratory finding s associated with poor prognosis include arterial pH <7.35, BUN >30, sodium less than 130, glucose >250, and hematocrit <30%. These factors are often used to calculate the PORT (Pneumonia Outcomes Research Team) pneumonia severity index score which can be an aid in making treatment decisions. S.
pneumoniae, Legionella, and S. aureus are the pathogens associated with poor prognosis, not Mycoplasma.
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