Question

A 76-year-old woman presents with fever, pleuritic chest pain and productive cough. Chest X-ray shows right lower lobe consolidation. Her observations: confusion (new), urea 9.5 mmol/L, respiratory rate 32/min, blood pressure 86/54 mmHg, age 76 years. What is the severity of her community-acquired pneumonia using CURB-65 and the most appropriate disposition?

Accepted Answer

CURB-65 score 4–5 – severe pneumonia requiring urgent senior review, IV antibiotics and likely high-dependency or intensive care.

Answer

CURB-65 score 1 – manage as outpatient with oral antibiotics.

Answer

CURB-65 score 2 – short inpatient stay with oral antibiotics.

Answer

CURB-65 score 3 – consider ICU but usually ward-level care with IV antibiotics.

Answer

CURB-65 score 0 – safe for discharge.

Practice question