Pneumonia
Case Studies
A 73-year-old white male has been experiencing shortness of breath and left-sided chest pain for
the last 24 hours. More recently, he has noted shaking chills and a fever. About 3 days before,
he had been drinking alcohol excessively and passed out. When he awoke, he noted vomitus on
his shirt. He does have a history of hypertension and coronary artery disease.
His physical examination indicated that he was tachypneic and had a fever. His heart rate was
110 per minute. His chest examination demonstrated rhonchi in the lower lateral left chest.
Diagnostic Analysis
The cause of shortness of breath in this older adult male could be myocardial ischemia,
congestive heart failure, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism. His history of having vomited
while unconscious raises the suspicion of aspiration pneumonia. His high WBC and the fever are
more compatible with infection. His normal BNP excludes the possibility of congestive heart
failure. His chest X-ray demonstrates classic aspiration pneumonia.
Critical Thinking Questions
1. What are some other tests that could help delineate the cause of shortness of breath?
2. To what antibiotic is Klebsiella commonly sensitive?
3. Should antibiotics be provided empirically upon the initial visit or should antibiotics be
withheld until culture and sensitivity reports are available?
4. What are the potential social problems associated with this man’s care and future discharge?
5. What do the abnormal liver enzymes tell you about his alcohol use?
Sample Solutions
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