An elderly patient is recovering from pneumonia caused by Influenza. Suddenly, the patient's condition deteriorates. You order a chest x-ray that demonstrates an air-fluid level, suggestive of an abscess. You empirically begin treatment for:
- Streptococcal pneumoniae
- Chlamydia
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Legionella pneumophila
Answer: D
Staphylococcus aureus
Empyema (lung abscess) is almost always staph aureus. While strep pneumonia is the most common CAP, when a complication like an empyema occurs, it is almost always staph.
There are four types of pneumonia covered in the NCCPA™ Content Blueprint Pulmonary System (12%)
Learn more about these different types of pneumonia and the key terms used to differentiate between the various forms at Smarty PANCE Pneumonias (PEARLS)
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If you are studying for the PANCE or the PANRE I recommend these review books