A 45-year-old previously healthy man presents with fever, cough productive of purulent sputum, and pleuritic chest pain. A chest X-ray shows a lobar infiltrate. He has no significant comorbidities and has not been on antibiotics recently. Which of the following is the most appropriate empiric antibiotic regimen for this patient's community-acquired pneumonia?
✓ Correct Answer: Option B
For an outpatient, previously healthy patient with community-acquired pneumonia, a macrolide (like azithromycin) or doxycycline is recommended as first-line empiric therapy. Ceftriaxone and azithromycin would be for inpatient or sicker patients.