Question

A 68-year-old man with known COPD (FEV₁ 45% predicted) presents with increased breathlessness, sputum volume and sputum purulence. He is afebrile, saturating 93% on room air and has no signs of consolidation. According to COPD-X, what is the best description of his management regarding antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

Prescribe oral antibiotics because he has all three Anthonisen criteria for a moderate exacerbation

Answer

Do not prescribe antibiotics as they are never indicated in COPD exacerbations

Answer

Start intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics in all COPD exacerbations

Answer

Reserve antibiotics only for patients with fever and radiographic pneumonia

Answer

Use prophylactic long-term antibiotics in all COPD patients after their first exacerbation

Practice question