Correct!
2. Chest X-ray
or
5. All of the above
The latest IDSA/ATS guidelines emphasize that location is important in determining the appropriate work up of the patient (2). Most patients should have a chest x-ray. In the outpatient arena a compatible history and physical with a chest x-ray may be sufficient but as an inpatient sputum Gram stain and culture and blood cultures may be obtained in an inpatient only if they do not delay treatment. They also do not recommend routinely checking a serum procalcitonin which is increased in infections.
The patient had the following initial laboratory evaluation:
A Chest x-ray was obtained (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Initial portable chest x-ray.
What should be done next? (Click on the correct answer to be directed to the fourth of seven pages)