Question

Which of the following does NOT explain why a patient with Klebsiella pneumonia is more likely to die than one with pneumococcal pneumonia? A) Treatment options for Klebsiella pneumonia are limited because the causative agent is resistant to many antibiotics. Pneumococcal pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin. B) The causative agent of Klebsiella pneumonia is Gram-negative and may cause septic shock. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive bacterium so does not have endotoxin. C) The most severe types of Pneumococcal pneumonia can be prevented with the PPSV23 vaccine. There is no vaccine that protects against Klebsiella pneumonia. D) Klebsiella pneumoniae causes lung abscesses which may result in the death of the patient. Pneumococcal pneumonia does not result in permanent lung damage. E) All of these statements explain why Klebsiella pneumonia is more frequently fatal than pneumococcal pneumonia.

Answer 1

All options provided (A, B, C, D) are explanations why Klebsiella pneumonia is often more fatal than pneumococcal pneumonia due to factors such as antibiotic resistance, potential for septic shock, lack of vaccine, and potential for causing lung abscesses.

Step-by-step explanation:

All the provided options A, B, C, and D indeed explain why a patient with Klebsiella pneumonia is more likely to die than one with pneumococcal pneumonia.

1. Klebsiella pneumonia is often resistant to many antibiotics, making treatment options limited.
2. The causative agent of Klebsiella pneumonia is Gram-negative, meaning it has endotoxins which can cause septic shock, while pneumococcal pneumonia, caused by a Gram-positive bacterium, does not have this capability.
3. There is no vaccine for Klebsiella pneumonia, whereas the most severe types of pneumococcal pneumonia can be prevented with the PPSV23 vaccine.
4. Klebsiella pneumonia often results in lung abscesses which can be fatal, whereas pneumococcal pneumonia does not usually result in permanently damaging the lungs.

So, statement E is correct that all of these factors contribute to why Klebsiella pneumonia is often more fatal than pneumococcal pneumonia.

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