Discussion
There was no single constellation of signs and symptoms that was highly predictive of the
clinical diagnosis of pneumonia, the ordering of a chest x-ray, or the prescribing of
antibiotics. Overall, the most highly predictive symptoms for a diagnosis of clinical
pneumonia, the ordering of a chest x-ray and the prescribing of antibiotics were abnormal
breath sounds (rales or rhonchi) and a temperature ≥ 100°F (37.8°C), although these signs
and symptoms only explain part of the prediction criteria. Chest pain was also a predictor of
ordering a chest x-ray.