A 62-year-old woman comes to the urgent care clinic complaining of progressively worsening dyspnea over the last 48 hours. She mentions that her usual morning cough has become more frequent and is now producing a larger amount of thick, yellowish-green mucus. Her medical history is significant for severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertension. Vital signs include a temperature of 37.3°C (99.1°F), heart rate of 94/min, respiratory rate of 24/min, and blood pressure of 142/88 mmHg. Oxygen saturation is 89% on room air. Physical examination demonstrates a prolonged expiratory phase with diffuse bilateral wheezing. There is no jugular venous distention and no lower extremity edema. A chest radiograph reveals hyperinflated lungs and flattened diaphragms, but no focal opacities. Which of the following treatments are indicated for this patient right now? (Select all that apply)
- Nebulized albuterol and ipratropiumCevap
- A short course of oral prednisoneCevap
- A 5-day course of oral azithromycinCevap
- DEmpiric therapy with piperacillin-tazobactam
- EAn intravenous bolus of furosemide