Question

A 70-year-old man with suspected CAP asks if procalcitonin can determine whether to start antibiotics. What do guidelines say?

Accepted Answer

Procalcitonin should not be used to determine need for initial antibiotics in CAP

Answer

Use procalcitonin to withhold initial antibiotics in CAP

Answer

Procalcitonin must be >0.5 ng/mL before treating CAP

Answer

Only treat if procalcitonin rises after 24 h

Answer

Procalcitonin replaces clinical judgment

Practice question

A 70-year-old man with suspected CAP asks if procalcitonin can determine whether to start antibiotics. What do guidelines say?