The latest on community-acquired pneumonia.

The article presents a continuing education on community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with the goal of guiding pharmacists and technicians in applying antibiotic therapy for patients and in applying national guidelines regarding its treatment. It discusses the factors contributing to the development of pneumonia, causes, clinical presentation and therapy. The rapidity with which antibiotic therapy is initiated is one important determinant of outcome in patients who are hospitalized for treatment of CAP. Test questions about CAP are presented.