Question:

A 68-year-old male presents with cough with sputum and bronchial sounds. RR-20/min, urea-44mg/dl, BP-110/70mmHg. What is the next step in management?

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Calculate the CURB-65 score using the given parameters to determine the appropriate level of care.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Home Rx
  • Admit in ICU without MV
  • Admit in ICU with MV
  • Room admission
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Identify the condition.
The clinical picture - cough with sputum production, bronchial breath sounds, consolidation - is consistent with Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP).

Step 2: Apply CURB-65 scoring to determine severity.
CURB-65 is the standard tool for assessing CAP severity and guiding site-of-care decisions. Each criterion scores 1 point:
  • C - Confusion: Not mentioned = 0
  • U - Urea >19 mg/dL: Urea = 44 mg/dL > 19 mg/dL = 1
  • R - Respiratory rate &ge;30/min: RR = 20/min < 30 = 0
  • B - BP <90 systolic or &le;60 diastolic: BP = 110/70 mmHg, systolic > 90 = 0
  • 65 - Age &ge;65 years: Age = 68 years = 1

Total CURB-65 score = 2

Step 3: Interpret CURB-65 score.
  • Score 0-1: Low risk (1.5% mortality) - Outpatient/Home treatment
  • Score 2: Moderate risk (9.2% mortality) - Inpatient (Room) admission
  • Score &ge;3: High risk (22% mortality) - ICU admission

Conclusion: CURB-65 score of 2 indicates moderate severity - the patient requires room (ward) admission, not home treatment or ICU.
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