Yellow Sputum in Medicine / Internal Medicine — 60yo Man | Respiratory / Pulmonology | SMLE Q#11188
SMLE Question #11188
Medicine / Internal Medicine
Respiratory / Pulmonology
Objective: OBJ-123
Last updated: February 2026
A 60-year-old man has 3 days of fever, productive cough with yellow sputum, and progressive shortness of breath. Examination shows diffuse bilateral crackles without jugular venous distension or peripheral edema. Chest X-ray shows bilateral patchy alveolar infiltrates without cardiomegaly or significant pleural fluid. After 48 hours of appropriate antibiotics and supplemental oxygen, his hypoxemia worsens and he now requires high-flow oxygen. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis explaining his bilateral lung infiltrates and progressive respiratory failure?
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