A 67-year-old with septic shock from pneumonia is intubated and on norepinephrine. Which diagnostic step is indicated before or at antibiotic initiati...

Question

A 67-year-old with septic shock from pneumonia is intubated and on norepinephrine. Which diagnostic step is indicated before or at antibiotic initiation according to CAP guidance for severe disease?

Accepted Answer

Obtain sputum Gram stain/culture and two blood cultures prior to antibiotics if feasible

Answer

No cultures unless prior MRSA colonization

Answer

Use serum procalcitonin to decide whether to give antibiotics

Answer

Delay antibiotics until sputum culture obtained

Answer

Routine follow-up chest radiograph at 1-2 weeks in all

us-usmle-step-2 MCQ (SBA): Community-Acquired Pneumonia

A 67-year-old with septic shock from pneumonia is intubated and on norepinephrine. Which diagnostic step is indicated before or at antibiotic initiation according to CAP guidance for severe disease?