Present illness.  A 35-year-old male resident of Wayne, NJ.

Present illness. A 35-year-old male resident of Wayne, NJ presents with fever and cough. He was well until 3 days earlier, when he suffered the onset of nasal stuffiness, mild sore throat, and a cough productive of small amounts of clear sputum. Today, he decided to seek physician assistance because of an increase in temperature to 38.3°C and spasms of coughing that produce purulent secretions. On one occasion, he noted a few flecks of bright-red blood in his sputum.

Other pertinent history. It is March. He lives in a home in the city with his wife and 3 children, aged 7, 9, and 11 years. The children are fully immunized. The 11-year-old child is recovering from a “nagging” cough that has persisted for 10-14 days.

The family has a pet parakeet who is 5 years old and appears to be well. The patient has not traveled outside the city in the past year. He is an office manager.

The patient smokes 1 pack/day and has done so since the age of 15 years. Several times a month, especially during the winter, on arising from sleep, he produces ∼1 tablespoon of purulent sputum.

Medical history. The patient has no history of familial illness, hospitalizations, or trauma. There are no drug allergies or intolerance. The only medication he takes is acetaminophen occasionally, for headaches. He drinks beer or wine in moderation.

Physical examination. His body temperature is 38.9°C (100°F), his pulse is 110 beats/min and regular, and his respiratory rate is 18 breaths/min. His oxygen saturation is 93% while breathing room air. There is mild erythema of the mucosa of the nose and posterior oropharynx. Inspiratory “rales” are heard at the right lung base.

Laboratory and radiographic findings. His hemoglobin level is 12.5 g/dL, with a hematocrit of 36%. His WBC count is 13,500 cells/µL, with 82% polymorphonuclear cells, 11% band forms, and 7% lymphocytes. His platelet count is 180,000 cells/µL. The results of a  CMP screen are unremarkable.

Chest radiography documents bilateral lower lobe infiltrates that are more pronounced on the right side. There are no pleural effusions.

ACTIVITIES

Read the Case Study.

Compose an evidence-based response to the following items. Use APA format.

What other information is important at this type of visit?

What is your plan of care for this patient?

What tests or diagnostic would you consider today? Why?

Would you prescribe any medications? Discuss.

Would you make any referrals? To whom?

What counseling would you offer J.L. today?