Usmle Style Question Generator

A 65-year-old female presents to the emergency department with a 3-day history of progressive shortness of breath, productive cough with yellowish sputum, and fever. Her past medical history includes hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, both well controlled with medication. She denies chest pain or recent travel, but mentions she has been feeling unusually fatigued in the last week. On physical examination, her temperature is 38.7°C, heart rate 105/min, respiratory rate 28/min, blood pressure 140/90 mmHg, and oxygen saturation 92% on room air. On auscultation, there are decreased breath sounds and crackles at the right lower lung field. Chest X-ray shows a right lower lobe consolidation. What is the most likely etiological agent for this patient's condition? (A) Mycoplasma pneumoniae (B) Streptococcus pneumoniae (C) Klebsiella pneumoniae (D) Pneumocystis jirovecii (E) Chlamydia pneumoniae --- Correct answer: (B) Streptococcus pneumoniae This patient's presentation of productive cough, fever, and consolidation on chest X-ray is consistent with pneumonia. (A) Mycoplasma pneumoniae is more commonly seen in younger patients and often referred to as "walking pneumonia" because it typically causes milder symptoms. (B) Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults, particularly in those with underlying diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. (C) Klebsiella pneumoniae is commonly associated with hospital-acquired pneumonia and often seen in alcoholics or patients with diabetes. However, it usually presents with a more severe clinical picture, including high fever, and can produce a distinctive "currant jelly" sputum, not reported in this patient. (D) Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is more often seen in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with HIV/AIDS. (E) Chlamydia pneumoniae can cause pneumonia but is less likely in this case based on the clinical presentation. It's often seen in school-aged children and young adults. Therefore, the most probable cause of this patient's pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae.