Question

An 88-year-old female was seen in the physician's office complaining of SOB, dizziness, orthopnea, elevated temperature, and a productive cough. Lung auscultation revealed rales over the R bronchus. CXR revealed fluid in the RUL. The patient was sent to the hospital. Vital signs upon admission were: temperature 102°F, pulse 100 and rapid, respirations 24 and labored, blood pressure 180/110. She was treated with IV antibiotics, postural drainage, and IPPB. She responded well to treatment, and was released home to her family with oral antibiotics on the third day.

What is the patient’s diagnosis?

Answer 1

The patient's diagnosis is pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever, coughing, and lung abnormalities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's diagnosis is pneumonia.

Based on the symptoms described, such as shortness of breath (SOB), fever, productive cough, and lung auscultation revealing rales over the right bronchus, along with the presence of fluid in the right upper lobe (RUL) on the chest X-ray, it is indicative of pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can lead to symptoms such as breathing difficulties, coughing, fever, and lung abnormalities.

In this case, the patient was treated with IV antibiotics, postural drainage, and IPPB (intermittent positive pressure breathing) and responded well to the treatment. She was released home with oral antibiotics on the third day.