A 22-year-old man with sickle cell disease comes to the urgent care center due to a 3-day history of productive cough, fever, and severe, sharp chest pain. He also reports increasing difficulty breathing over the last 24 hours. The patient takes folic acid and hydroxyurea daily. His temperature is 38.8°C (101.8°F), blood pressure is 114/72 mm Hg, pulse is 122/min, and respirations are 28/min. Pulse oximetry shows an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. Physical examination reveals scleral icterus. Lung auscultation demonstrates decreased breath sounds and crackles in the right lower lung field.
Laboratory test results are as follows:
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Hemoglobin | 7.1 g/dL |
| Leukocyte count | 19,200/mm³ |
| Platelet count | 480,000/mm³ |
| Reticulocyte count | 14% |
Arterial blood gas analysis on room air reveals:
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.49 |
| PaCO2 | 28 mm Hg |
| PaO2 | 60 mm Hg |
A chest radiograph displays a new opacity in the right lower lobe. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
- Ceftriaxone and azithromycinCevap
- BFurosemide
- CMeropenem and vancomycin
- DSodium bicarbonate
- EThyroid-stimulating hormone level