Q: When should I use CURB-65?

CURB-65 helps determine the severity of community-acquired pneumonia and guides disposition decisions: outpatient treatment vs hospitalization vs ICU admission. It uses five criteria: Confusion, Urea >7 mmol/L, Respiratory rate ≥30, Blood pressure (systolic <90 or diastolic ≤60), and age ≥65.

Question 1

What is the Centor Score?

Accepted Answer

The Centor Score (modified McIsaac) estimates the probability of group A streptococcal pharyngitis using clinical criteria: tonsillar exudates, tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy, fever history, and absence of cough. It guides decisions about testing and empiric antibiotic therapy.

Question 2

What are the SIRS criteria?

Accepted Answer

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) is defined by meeting ≥2 of four criteria: temperature >38°C or <36°C, heart rate >90, respiratory rate >20 or PaCO2 <32, and WBC >12,000 or <4,000. While SIRS has largely been replaced by qSOFA/SOFA for sepsis screening, it remains useful for identifying systemic inflammation.

Question 3

When should I use CURB-65?

Accepted Answer

CURB-65 helps determine the severity of community-acquired pneumonia and guides disposition decisions: outpatient treatment vs hospitalization vs ICU admission. It uses five criteria: Confusion, Urea >7 mmol/L, Respiratory rate ≥30, Blood pressure (systolic <90 or diastolic ≤60), and age ≥65.

Infectious Disease Scoring Tools

All Infectious Disease Tools (2)

Centor Score

Vancomycin AUC/MIC

Frequently Asked Questions