6th May 2024

A 68-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with a two-day history of productive cough, fever, and shortness of breath.

A 68-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with a two-day history of productive cough, fever, and shortness of breath. She has a past medical history of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. On examination, she has a temperature of 38.6°C, heart rate of 102 beats per minute, respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute, and oxygen saturation of 90% on room air. Chest auscultation reveals crackles in the right lower lobe. Chest X-ray shows consolidation in the right lower lobe. Her CURB-65 score is 3.

Which is the most appropriate initial management for this patient’s pneumonia?