An 85-year-old female presents to the emergency department in severe respiratory distress with a 12-hour history of progressive shortness of breath and increasing oxygen requirements. Chest x-ray shows diffuse consolidation of both lungs (aka diffuse bilateral alveolar infiltrates) without enlargement of the heart. Further questioning reveals the patient had a witnessed choking episode while eating yesterday evening. What is the most likely diagnosis and why?
Question 47 options:
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by aspiration pneumonia.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by droppings from a pet bird.
Bronchopneumonia caused by Haemophilus influenzae.
Pulmonary tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.