Case study:A 75 year old man was transferred to an emergency room from a local nursing home where he is on long-term ventilator care.He presented as...

Case study: A 75 year old man was transferred to an emergency room from a local nursing home where he is on long-term ventilator care. He presented as lethargic and a pale complexion. His admission temperature was 101.5oF, and during respiration, the right side of his chest moved better than the left side. The patient complained of chills.

Testing: A chest x-ray was performed and showed inflammation in the left lung. A sputum sample was collected and it contained blood. A smear of the sputum demonstrated no acid-fast bacteria. Culturing the sputum on MacConkey agar produced pinkish to reddish colored colonies.

1. What is the causative agent and what is your diagnosis?
2. What evidence led you to your decision?
3. What treatment would you suggest for this patient?