Community-acquired Pneumonia Was Started in Pediatrics — 5yo Child | Pediatric Respiratory | SMLE Q#18643
SMLE Question #18643
Pediatrics
Pediatric Respiratory
Objective: OBJ-RESP-ACUTE-001
Last updated: February 2026
A 5-year-old boy with community-acquired pneumonia was started on oral antibiotics as an outpatient. He returns to the emergency department with worsening shortness of breath and decreased level of consciousness. He is in moderate-to-severe respiratory distress with intercostal retractions and nasal flaring, and he is drowsy with poor airway protective reflexes. What is the most appropriate next step in management?
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