Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

In the CURB-65 score, which symptom corresponds to the score?

1. Fever

2. Confusion

3. Dry cough

4. Chest pain

The correct answer is: Confusion

The CURB-65 score is a clinical tool used to assess the severity of pneumonia and determine the appropriate level of care for patients. Each component of the CURB-65 mnemonic corresponds to specific criteria, each contributing to the overall score. The symptoms included in this scoring system help healthcare providers identify patients at a higher risk for complications or mortality. Among the options provided, confusion is one of the critical criteria in the CURB-65 score. It indicates altered mental status, which is significant because it may reflect severe illness or complications arising from pneumonia. The presence of confusion can suggest a systemic impact of the infection, potentially impacting the patient's ability to manage their condition and respond to treatment. Other symptoms listed, such as fever, dry cough, and chest pain, are commonly associated with pneumonia but do not directly impact the CURB-65 score. Fever can be a common sign of infection but is not specifically one of the CURB-65 criteria. Dry cough is a frequent symptom of respiratory infections but does not score in this context either. Similarly, chest pain can arise from pneumonia, often due to pleuritic pain, but does not directly relate to the CURB-65 scoring system. Thus, confusion is the unique symptom here that aligns