A 35-year-old healthy man presents with a 2-day history of fever, productive cough with yellow sputum, and pleuritic chest pain. His vital signs are stable, and physical exam reveals crackles in the right lower lung field. Chest X-ray shows a right lower lobe infiltrate. He has no known comorbidities or allergies. What is the most appropriate outpatient antibiotic regimen?
✓ Correct Answer: Option B
For a previously healthy outpatient with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) without risk factors for drug-resistant pathogens, a macrolide (e.g., azithromycin) or doxycycline is recommended as first-line empiric therapy.