Case Study: Respiratory Infection
Patient Information:
• Name: Sarah Smith
• Age: 25
• Gender: Female
• Occupation: Teacher
• Medical History: No significant medical history reported.
Presenting Complaint: Sarah Smith presents to the clinic with complaints of cough, fever, and
difficulty breathing for the past week. She reports a productive cough with yellowish-green
sputum and chest tightness.
Physical Examination Findings:
• Vital Signs: BP 110/70 mmHg, HR 90 bpm, RR 20 breaths/min, Temp 101.2°F
• General: Alert and oriented, appears ill
• Respiratory: Decreased breath sounds and crackles heard bilaterally on auscultation
• Cardiovascular: Regular rhythm, no murmurs or abnormal sounds
• Abdomen: Soft, non-tender, no organomegaly
• Neurological: Intact cranial nerves, normal motor and sensory functions
Laboratory Investigations:
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Elevated white blood cell count (WBC) with left shift
• Chest X-ray: Infiltrates in bilateral lower lung fields consistent with pneumonia
•
Diagnosis: Sarah Smith is diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia based on her clinical
presentation, physical examination findings, and radiological evidence.
Questions for Students:
1. What are the common signs and symptoms of community-acquired pneumonia?
2. Describe the typical findings on physical examination and chest X-ray in patients with
pneumonia.
3. What are the most common pathogens causing community-acquired pneumonia, and
how would you choose empirical antibiotic therapy in this patient?
4. Discuss the management of community-acquired pneumonia, including non-
pharmacological measures and potential complications to monitor for.