Initiate treatment with an antibiotic effective against a wide range of bacteria in a patient suspected of having pneumonia, but without definitive diagnosis.
Used when a patient presents with symptoms suggestive of pneumonia, but further diagnostic testing (e.g., chest X-ray, sputum culture) is pending or unavailable.
"Start patient on broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy for presumed pneumonia pending chest X-ray results."
This phrase indicates the initiation of treatment based on clinical suspicion prior to confirmed diagnosis. It should be followed up with documentation of diagnostic results and adjustments to therapy as needed.
Common questions about using medical phrases in clinical documentation